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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Match

His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry battle to win the continental title.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.