đź”— Share this article Underwhelming Buatsi Defeats Parker in Manchester Fight Buatsi made his pro debut in 2017 following his bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena. The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena. But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the fight. Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95. "It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators. The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win. Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey. Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter Buatsi is aiming for the winner of Benavidez and fellow Briton Yarde The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity. Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support. He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds. Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight. By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the cleaner stanzas. The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches. Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round. The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult. Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Fight The stadium grew still as an image of Mancunian Ricky Hatton covered the video board In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt. The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently. It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton". The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count. But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair landed punishing blows. The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance. Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for. The winner extended his record to 25 wins in 28 matches as the loser suffered a second defeat in his 23rd fight