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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair

His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.