Lackluster Buatsi Outpoints Zach Parker in Manchester Bout

UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

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

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.