🔗 Share this article

UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Match

His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.