🔗 Share this article

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

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.