🔗 Share this article

British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced boos from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Affair

His career development has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, everything their hero Hatton represented.