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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Match

His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better periods.

The crowd's patience diminished during constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental belt.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.