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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

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

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.