🔗 Share this article

British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

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

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair

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

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.