🔗 Share this article

British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

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

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo landed hard punches.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, everything their hero Hatton embodied.