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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Match

His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.