🔗 Share this article

UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Affair

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

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.