Underwhelming Joshua Buatsi Defeats Zach Parker in Manchester

British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the action.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the continental title.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.