Disappointing Buatsi Defeats Parker in Manchester
British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Affair
His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
