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

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

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

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts believed Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton stood for.