Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker Fight Card, Odds, & Predictions

The light heavyweight match between Joshua Buatsi and Zach Parker will headline the boxing event inside Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England on Nov. 1.

As the former WBO interim light heavyweight champion, Buatsi heads into the match as the considerable betting favorite with -400 boxing odds, while Parker is going to be the +300 betting underdog. A draw result in this match has odds of +2000.

Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker Odds

• Joshua Buatsi: -400
• Zach Parker: +300
• Tie: +2000

Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker: Prediction

My prediction for this light heavyweight battle is a TKO/KO finish for Buatsi over Parker, as he’s the more disciplined and accurate boxer among the two. Both are power punchers in their own rights, but I think Buatsi has more variety in his attacks.

Buatsi sets up his combinations through his jabs. This is also his method of opening up his opponents because it goes through the guard and often follows it up with a solid straight right hand.

The former Olympic medalist has a very good defense, with him being disciplined to put his hands up after every exchange and not overextending. On the other hand, Parker is a notorious body puncher who can fold his opponents with a single punch.

But Parker doesn’t set up his power punches properly because he always swings for the fences and puts a lot of torque into it most of the time. This leaves him open for counterpunches and consumes a significant amount of energy.

Furthermore, Parker sometimes gets wild in exchanges, especially at close distance, where he doesn’t throw his combinations properly. I think that the Buatsi catches him with a solid hook in one of the exchanges, and it will be the beginning of the end for a TKO/KO finish.

Joshua Buatsi’s Recent Fight Results

Buatsi was a former Olympic bronze medalist before he transitioned to the pro ranks in July 2017, and he TKO’ed Carlos Mena in his pro debut. Since then, he swept his next 18 bouts and captured the BBBofC British light heavyweight, Commonwealth Boxing Council light heavyweight, and WBO interim light heavyweight titles.

But in his most recent fight against Callum Smith last February, he suffered his first career defeat with a unanimous decision loss. Buatsi not only received his first defeat, but also failed to defend the WBO interim strap.

Zach Parker’s Recent Fight Results

Parker was also a decorated amateur boxer before he decided to jump to the paid ranks in July 2015 and stopped Lewis van Poetsch in the fourth round of their match. He competed in both the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.

In March 2020, he captured his first international boxing belt after he defeated Rohan Murdock via 11th-round TKO to win the WBO International super middleweight title. He successfully defended it three times before he fought John Ryder for the WBO interim super middleweight title in November 2022.

But Parker failed to capture the interim belt after a fourth-round retirement loss to Ryder. Since then, he moved up to the light heavyweight division and won his last four fights against Khalid Graidia, Tyron Zeuge, Jack Arnfield, and most recently, Mickael Diallo.

Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker: Tale of the Tape

Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker: Start Time

Nov. 1, 6 p.m. E.T.

Nov. 1, 5 p.m. C.T.

Nov. 1, 4 p.m. M.T.

Nov. 1, 3 p.m. P.T.