🔗 Share this article

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

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the duo traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their hero Hatton represented.