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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.