Disappointing Buatsi Defeats Parker in Manchester Bout
British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Affair
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.
