🔗 Share this article

UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

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

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.