🔗 Share this article

British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

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

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better periods.

The crowd's patience decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.