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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their idol Hatton represented.