🔗 Share this article

British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

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

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Match

His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the result with official scores of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their hero the legend stood for.