Underwhelming Buatsi Defeats Parker in Manchester Fight

British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

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

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.