🔗 Share this article

UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Encounter

His career development has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.