🔗 Share this article

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

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Affair

His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo landed powerful shots.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.