Joshua Buatsi outpoints Zach Parker in cagey light-heavyweight contest

Buatsi’s progress has stalled in recent years due to promotional disputes and long periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to deliver on that early promise under new promotional backing – perhaps in what feels like the final throw of the dice.

He started cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overdo a crafty opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came in 2022 in a super middleweight bout against John Ryder after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway point, Parker had made it competitive and made life difficult for Buatsi, who was working behind tight cover to gain the upper hand in the cleaner laps.

The crowd’s patience frequently wore thin, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinchs.

Parker finished stronger but was difficult to score in many rounds. However, former world champion Carl Frampton, commentating on Dazn, conceded just one lap to Buatsi, creating a particularly clear lead in Parker’s favour.

Buatsi is moving on, but with heavy hitter David Benavidez and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the league, the path to world glory – on this evidence – still looks steep.