Boxing Dec 07, 2025

Joshua Buatsi beats Zach Parker in controversial decision after gruelling British light-heavyweight clash

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Joshua Buatsi beats Zach Parker in controversial decision after gruelling British light-heavyweight clash

Zach Parker said he was "fuming" after losing a controversial decision to fellow British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi on Saturday.

One judge scored the Manchester bout a 95-95 draw, while the other two saw it as a 96-94 victory for Buatsi.

After suffering a first defeat five fights to drop his record to 27-4, Parker insisted the decision should have gone his way.

He told DAZN: "Fuming. I won that fight easy. I think every single person at ringside said I won it.

"I won literally almost every round. If I outbox him and he can't even touch me, I should be champion now and going on to bigger fights."

Many ringside observers thought Parker had done enough to win the scrappy contest.

"Everyone's got eyes, so they can see the fight," Parker added. "He can't even a land a clean shot on me. I should be champion. I'm just pi**ed off.

"(I'd probably give him) one round, and that was early. The later rounds, he couldn't even catch me. I was comfortable in there.

"I should be going on for bigger titles and bigger money fights. I'm trying to change my daughter's life, and I get decisions like that."

Olympic bronze medallist Buatsi (20-1) returned to winning ways after suffering the first defeat of his professional career to Callum Smith in February.

Buatsi said: "I must admit it wasn't my best performance, but what do champions do? They win. Regardless of how it comes, you take it."

The fight was somewhat spoilt by excessive holding throughout, which on several occasions resulted in Parker dropping from the clinches to the canvas.

The pair each felt that the other should have been penalised for their tactics.

Parker said: "When he's pushed me down, what do you want me to do?

"I can't keep lifting him up. He's 14 stone or whatever, I'm going to waste my energy. If he's pushing me down, the referee should probably say, 'stop pushing him down.' I wouldn't keep going down to the floor then.

"A little bit scrappy at times, but if that's the way you can win a fight and outbox him and jab his head off all night, he couldn't even catch me with a shot."

Buatsi, with whom the judges appeared to agree with, was unimpressed by Parker's tactics.

"I don't know what style that is," Buatsi siad.

"You keep holding and going on the floor… you can't be on the floor about six times and claim you won the fight."

The controversial nature of the decision is likely to fuel calls for a rematch, but the lack of entertainment the fight produced could lead Buatsi's new promoter Frank Warren to think twice about taking up such an option.

Tags:

boxing news id:13462371

Share this article

Related Posts

Deontay Wilder: Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Moses Itauma - what next for Bronze Bomber after win over Derek Chisora?

Deontay Wilder: Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Moses Itauma - what next for Bronze Bomber after win over Derek Chisora?

Deontay Wilder may not be the force of devastating power he once was, but there can be no doubt of his continued proclivity for chaos or entertainment...

Claressa Shields could fight Lauren Price in US and UK, says she would make 'easy work' of Brit and Mikaela Mayer

Claressa Shields could fight Lauren Price in US and UK, says she would make 'easy work' of Brit and Mikaela Mayer

Claressa Shields is eyeing fights Stateside and in the UK with Lauren Price as the Olympic champions prepare to lock horns for the first time later th...

Tyson Fury: Now I'm the hunter not the hunted | 'I'll make an example of Arslanbek Makhmudov'

Tyson Fury: Now I'm the hunter not the hunted | 'I'll make an example of Arslanbek Makhmudov'

Arslanbek Makhmudov swept Tyson Fury off his feet in a bear hug when the two faced off at their final press conference on Thursday.Fury took it in goo...

Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins sign multi-fight deals with Zuffa Boxing | 'This is going to be a special journey'

Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins sign multi-fight deals with Zuffa Boxing | 'This is going to be a special journey'

Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins have signed multi-fight deals with Zuffa Boxing.Their debuts with the new promotional powerhouse are expected t...

Fury vs Makhmudov LIVE: Benn vs Prograis, fight updates, news and results as Tyson Fury fights Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Fury vs Makhmudov LIVE: Benn vs Prograis, fight updates, news and results as Tyson Fury fights Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Papers: Newcastle set Gordon price tag amid transfer interestThe top stories and transfer rumours from Tuesday's newspapers...Bournemouth appoint Rose...

Frazer Clarke vows to upset Justis Huni and change public opinion following defeats to Fabio Wardley and Jeamie TKV

Frazer Clarke vows to upset Justis Huni and change public opinion following defeats to Fabio Wardley and Jeamie TKV

Frazer Clarke believes he can swing public opinion by upsetting Justis Huni at Tottenham on Saturday night. The 34-year-old heavyweight is seeking to...