Disappointing Buatsi Outpoints Zach Parker in Manchester Bout

British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time 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 began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.