Underwhelming Buatsi Outpoints Parker in Manchester Fight

UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Affair

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

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

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

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters traded hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero the legend represented.