🔗 Share this article

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

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to capture the continental championship.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.