Disappointing Buatsi Beats Parker in Manchester Bout

British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

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

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to win the continental championship.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their idol Hatton represented.