🔗 Share this article

British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.