Joshua Buatsi vs Zach Parker: Who has the edge heading into their fight?

Joshua Buatsi will look to bounce back from his first professional loss when he clashes with Zach Parker at Co-op Live in Manchester, United Kingdom, and live on DAZN, on Saturday night. The winner can inch his way closer to knocking on the door for a light heavyweight world championship shot next.

Buatsi (19-1, 13 KOs) tasted defeat for the first time in his career February via a unanimous decision loss to a more experienced Callum Smith. The loss proved costly as Buatsi surrendered the WBO interim light heavyweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In his Queensberry Promotions debut, the British boxer will seek a return to the win column against a hard-hitting Parker.

Since suffering a broken hand in a stoppage loss to John Ryder in November 2022, Parker (26-1, 18 KOs) has rebuilt with a four-fight win streak, having last defeated Mickael Diallo by unanimous decision in February.

Will Buatsi impress in reclaiming his winning ways with a convincing performance? Or will Parker produce his best fight to seize the spotlight?

DAZN News analyzes who has the edge between Buatsi and Parker ahead of Saturday night’s showdown.

Boxing Styles

Behind a disciplined guard, Joshua Buatsi sits on pounding body shots effectively, nearly wilting Callum Smith with punches to the midsection during their explosive fight earlier this year.

Buatsi also can seamlessly transition from cranking body shots to an electric left hook flung around opponents’ guard.

He will certainly try to deploy these punches against Zach Parker who changes levels well from the outside to make deposits to the body and whiplash a gazelle hook around opponents’ guards.

John Ryder had success forcing cramped quarters with Parker and Buatsi has the inside fighting game to do the same.

Edge: Buatsi

Power

Both Buatsi and Parker possess power with the ability to alter the course of a fight with one shot.

Where Parker’s power might be more slicing, Buatsi’s power is more blunt force especially in the pocket where he can punish his fellow Brit.

The advantage here goes to Buatsi as well.

Edge: Buatsi

Mental Warfare

There was a tell-all moment that transpired during the end of the press conference earlier in the week when Parker embraced his underdog status and said “I’m ready to shock the world.” When asked how the world will react to his performance, Buatsi retorted “they wouldn’t be shocked, it’s going to be more of a nod of ‘alright, cool, we see you.’"

Buatsi exuded a steely confidence when he uttered the line as if he's primed to show he's back like he never left.

The mental edge slightly resides with Buatsi.

Edge: Buatsi

Who has the edge in Buatsi vs Parker?

Buatsi would like nothing more than to impress his way toward collecting his 20^th pro victory in demonstrating he has not missed a beat following his first defeat.

Then again, Parker talked about fighting for his family with great urgency. After all, his defeat to Ryder in November 2022 not only had him losing the opportunity to snatch the then-vacant WBO interim super middleweight title but he was forced to watch Ryder go on to challenge for Canelo Alvarez’ then-undisputed super middleweight crown his very next fight.

Parker sorely does not want to let another opportunity like this slide so that urgency makes this bout all the more intriguing.

Considering styles and tools, DAZN News has Buatsi heading into this fight with a 3-0 edge, though Parker will certainly try to challenge that Saturday night.

Watch Buatsi vs. Parker live on DAZN

Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker is live on DAZN this Saturday night, November 1. Watch the fight and whole card with a DAZN subscription.

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