The bout between two fighters looking to move their way towards world title contention headlines “Lights Out”, with tickets for the event going on sale at 11am on Wednesday, August 20 on ticketmaster.co.uk.
Buatsi (19-1, 3 KOs) is looking to bounce back to winning ways after a thrilling bout with Callum Smith in Riyadh in February that ultimately saw him on the wrong end of a judges’ decision.
Despite his defeat, the manner of his performance showed that Buatsi remains a serious threat at the top end of the light heavyweight division, and he’ll look to cement his credentials with victory over Parker (26-1, 18 KOs), who lost out to John Ryder due to injury in his WBO interim super middleweight world title fight at the end of 2022. Since then, he’s won four in a row, and carries real momentum into his bout with Buatsi in Manchester.
Also on the card is a battle for the European light-heavyweight title, as reigning champion Brad Rea faces former title challenger Lyndon Arthur in an all-Manchester matchup.
New Queensberry signee Rea (21-1, 10 KOs) captured European gold in his last outing, when he defeated Shakan Pitters, while Arthur (24-3, 16 KOs) is looking to bounce back after his April defeat to Anthony Yarde.
Additionally, Ukraine’s undefeated WBO international and WBA continental light heavyweight champion Daniel Lapin (12-0, 4 KOs) takes on England’s Troy Jones (12-1, 6 KOs).
“This will be a tremendous card and an amazing showcase for the light heavyweight division,” said promoter Frank Warren.
“Our 175lbs contingent is so strong now that it made perfect sense to put a number of them on a major platform at the biggest and best Arena in Europe.
“Joshua Buatsi is probably only a fight or two away from challenging for a world title, so it is important that he is tested, and he will be against Zach Parker, who is looking to make it big himself at light heavyweight and will see this as his opportunity to plant himself high in the rankings.
“The Manchester public are in for a treat with the Brad Rea vs Lyndon Arthur match-up, with them both being local boys wanting to put on a show. Brad is now with us here at Queensberry and going up against a former world title challenger gives him the opportunity to make a perfect statement of intent.
“I was very impressed with what I saw from Troy Jones last time out when he took on Ezra Taylor, so I am delighted to give him another showcase against the undefeated Daniel Lapin, who holds two international titles and is closing in on world title contention.”
