🔗 Share this article

UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters 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 competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third 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 met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Affair

His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.