Joshua Buatsi vs. Zachary Parker & Bradley Rea vs. Lyndon Arthur - Round by Round.

So many good domestic matchups could be made in this division — unfortunately, the main event isn’t one of them. The undercard fight’s actually the better matchup on paper.

At this stage of his career, Buatsi should only be looking at the likes of Yarde, Callum Smith, or even a Hutchinson rematch. Anything else feels like treading water — and he’s already made a career out of doing that. Enough already.

I will be rooting for Parker and Rea tonight. It’s no wonder this card has completely flown under the radar.

 

Considering the war he was in last time out with Callum Smith, I don't have an issue with this as a comeback fight although I'd have maybe preferred it as an undercard fight instead of topping the bill. After this though (assuming he is going to win) then I agree he needs to get back into the mix at top level.

 

Strange choice putting this on in Manchester. Surely the Copper Box or Wembley Arena would be more suitable - both from a capacity and location point.

 

Rea and Arthur are Mancs.

Although we don't acknowledge Arther because he's too "gangstah, bruv."

 

Yeah fair point — given the war with Smith, but that was seven months ago now. And with the winners of the main event and chief support seemingly locked in to fight each other next, that takes him into 2026 — which will be a full decade since the Olympics.

I just feel like Buatsi’s going backwards considering how much time has passed. For many fighters, ten years is an entire career, and he’s still sitting around domestic level. The one time he stepped up, he got beat. It feels like both he and Josh Kelly are stuck in that same cycle — stagnating around domestic class, then suddenly getting thrown in too deep and exposed because they never had those proper bridging fights to build experience.

Plus, let’s be honest — Parker and the winner of Rea vs Arthur aren’t much of an upgrade from guys like Richards or Azeez. So even if he comes through these next two fights, once he steps back up, anything beyond someone like Callum Smith, I can see him getting stopped — especially if it’s a world title fight or someone like Benavidez.

You’d think the Yarde fight, or even a Smith rematch, would’ve been the smarter move — especially Yarde.

I just think these ex-Olympians are being handled like fine china — and probably for good reason. Because in another 12 months, Buatsi and Kelly will have been fighting as long as Josh Taylor did in his entire career.

 

Surprised Bradley Rea is the favourite

 

He’s coming off of a solid win and has the youth, freshness and energy, and does Arthur still have the desire? We know Rea very much most likely does.

There are unanswered questions with Arthur, how much does he have left physically and in terms of desire?

I’d imagine it’s close with the bookies non the less.

 

Yeah Rea is just a slight favourite, but when looking at Rea's record he's not really beaten anybody, he got a lucky undeserved shot at the vacant European title against a weak opponent, he was fighting journeymen before that padding his record, and lost to Tyler Denny in a English title fight.

 

Remember when Parker faked an injury against Ryder and put a Google images X-ray on his twitter trying to convince people it was legit, haha.

 

Rea seems more rejuvenated at 175lbs. He was absolutely huge at 160lbs and likely draining himself to get down, not to mention that Denny is a solid gatekeeper who’s a southpaw and is tough to deal with.

There are unanswered questions with both men here. How much has Rea improved? And how much does Arthur have left?

 

I am looking forward to tonights card.

This is what DAZN should be putting out reguarly. Sadly to few cards are interesting

 

I don't think the main event is anything special and the undercard doesn't excite me.

As a standard DAZN UK Card on a friday or saturday night it's allright but nothing more.

 

Can't quite believe DAZN didn't make this PPV