Underwhelming Buatsi Beats Zach Parker in Manchester Bout

British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to win the continental belt.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton stood for.