🔗 Share this article

UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, merited the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Affair

His career development has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with official scores of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.