🔗 Share this article

British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their idol the legend represented.