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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Affair

His career development has stalled in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.