Lackluster Buatsi Beats Parker in Manchester
UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the better periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
