Clinch chaos and scorecard outrage: Will Joshua Buatsi be forced to run Zach Parker bout back?

They say a picture can paint a thousand words. If that is the case, then for the minutes that elapsed between the final bell and the scorecards, Joshua Buatsi looked down and out.

The Rio 2016 star, a bronze-medal winner almost a decade ago, has arguably never quite turned the pedigree of his Olympic Games campaign into anticipated professional glory.

At the end of ten rounds beneath the bright lights at Manchester's Co-op Live, it seemed that his latest - and perhaps final - chance had slipped through his fingers once again too.

Zach Parker, the former British super-middleweight champion, had outlanded him across a slippery contest, mixed jabs and clinches to seemingly check any momentum he had.

As the judges' decision was read out, the Derbyshire fighter already had his free hand raised in the air. His foe, in comparison, kept his eyes low, brow forlorn as he looked away.

They say a picture can paint a thousand words. But after the shock of a majority decision sent ripples of disbelief throughout the venue, Buatsi suddenly became a man reborn.

'Obvious potential maintains high stock'

A two-time Lonsdale Belt winner, the light-heavyweight has never quite reached the top of the tree when it comes to the division's best and brightest, despite his obvious potential.

Last September, Buatsi finally appeared to make good on his amateur promise when he took a split decision over Willy Hutchinson for the WBO interim strap at Wembley Stadium.

But in February, a unanimous loss to Callum Smith seemed to empty his tank, dropping him down the pecking order as Dmitry Bivol dethroned Artur Beterbiev in the main event.

Despite a first reverse, Buatsi's stock remained high enough to keep his place in the conversation, and few eyebrows were raised when he was shopped for a title opportunity.

Though WBC champion David Benavidez was ultimately paired with Anthony Yarde, the star's bout with Parker was effectively touted as a winner-takes-all shot at the former.

Speaking in the ring afterwards, Buatsi doubled down on his desire to face the winner - but questions will continue to rumble on beforehand over his worthiness after this result.

'Short of ideas as title shot grows murky'

Throughout the fight, Parker appeared to comprehensively have his opponent's number, leading off with a lively first round and using the outside of the ring to maximum effect.

Buatsi seemed to struggle for rhythm, and found himself caught flat too often, particularly as his younger rival outworked him to the body and the head with shrewd accuracy.

The chaos of Parker's clinches however not only frustrated his opponent, but also the judges, who ultimately seemed to reward an improved workrate from the former late on.

But neither Benavidez or Yarde will look at his performance and see the threat that has so often been his calling card. Though off the front foot, Buatsi seemed short of ideas.

Combined with Parker's distraught outrage in the aftermath, the likelihood of a title bout with the winner sometime in 2026 suddenly appears to have grown murkier as a result.

Buatsi will push for what he feels is his just reward, of course. But amid a division where grudges seldom go under the radar, he may yet find himself forced to run it back again.

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