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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Match

His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.