Lackluster Joshua Buatsi Beats Parker in Manchester
UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was faced boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental title.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
