Disappointing Buatsi Beats Parker in Manchester Bout

UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

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

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Affair

His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.