🔗 Share this article

British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.