Lackluster Buatsi Outpoints Parker in Manchester Fight

British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Match

His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.