🔗 Share this article

British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest 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 marring the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the continental belt.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, everything their hero Hatton represented.