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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

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

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental championship.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.