Disappointing Buatsi Outpoints Zach Parker in Manchester

UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

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

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.