🔗 Share this article

British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

The officials had 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 win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

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

Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Match

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

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend represented.