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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by boos from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Match

His career development has slowed in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their hero Hatton represented.