🔗 Share this article

British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.