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British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Affair

His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.