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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Match

His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their hero the legend embodied.