A boxing night promoted by Queensberry Promotions and Riyadh Season took place at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, featuring two standout light-heavyweight bouts: Lyndon Arthur vs. Bradley Rea, for the EBU European title, and Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker on the undercard, for the WBA International title.
Frank Warren staged an all-British derby that saw Arthur claim victory by majority decision (114–114, 115–113, 115–112). The co-main event also ended in a majority decision, with Buatsi winning a highly debated verdict.
The main event was a grueling fight. Arthur went down in round two after a surge of aggression and a sharp left hook from Rea. He recovered, and in the third round began landing heavy combinations, though Rea kept pressing forward with relentless hooks and maintained control of the center of the ring. It was a fierce war, but in the late rounds Arthur took command with precise right hands and uppercuts, eventually securing the victory and becoming the new EBU champion.
The co-main between Buatsi and Parker was a very different kind of fight, defined early on by effective jabs from both men. Buatsi held the center of the ring, while Parker showcased excellent movement. Throughout the contest, Buatsi used his composure and jab to close the distance, while Parker replied with sharp, well-timed combinations. It was an extremely close bout, but Buatsi was ultimately crowned WBA International champion. Many observers, however, disagreed with the result, believing Parker had done enough to win.
A great crowd and an electric atmosphere once again confirmed the strong response to Frank Warren’s events, with British fans rewarded by a night of high-level, competitive boxing.