🔗 Share this article

British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

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

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

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

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat 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 appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, everything their idol the legend represented.