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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

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

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight championship.

The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.