Underwhelming Buatsi Defeats Zach Parker in Manchester
British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat 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 fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental title.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
