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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

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

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said 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 claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend represented.