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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

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

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

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

The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.