IT IS UNUSUAL for a fighter to benefit from a loss, their stock having risen due to the extraordinary qualities they demonstrated in the ring.
Most of the time, it seems that the sport has a ruthless tendency to dismiss a defeated fighter, often forcing them to the sidelines while a selection of unbeaten prospects step into the limelight.
With Joshua Buatsi, though, it must be said that he proved more in his unanimous decision defeat to Callum Smith than in all of his previous victories combined.
Sure, we knew that the Olympian had several tricks up his sleeve, and, of course, a ferocious degree of firepower to go with them.
What we did not know, with any great amount of certainty, was whether the Croydon man could not only handle himself in the trenches, but also respond with a few heavy salvos of his own.
Any questions regarding his mettle were promptly answered in February, however, as despite losing on points, Buatsi, 19-1 (13 KOs), showed that, even when faced with an almighty challenge, he undoubtedly possesses the strength of character to keep plugging away.
That kind of mindset is rarely taught, but rather given to someone – a special type of person – from birth, and then later nurtured through life experiences and gruelling internal battles.
It is hardly surprising, then, that fighters are the ones who typically demonstrate this mental robustness to such a striking extent, their craft literally lending itself to a brutal test of strength and gallantry.
But while we trust that every combatant – or at least, those operating at a certain level – has an element of grit in their locker, it is always difficult to estimate the measure of one’s character unless they actually go ahead and prove themselves in the heat of battle.
And that, indeed, is exactly what Buatsi did against Smith, so much so that he hardly came away from their 12-round dustup as a ‘loser’.
Instead, with the 32-year-old showing that he is capable of walking through fire, it has become practically impossible to see how a fighter such as Zach Parker can put a dent in him, or even fiddle his way towards a points victory.
The Derbyshire man will no doubt attempt to employ those tactics this Saturday, aiming to maintain his crafty movement while dishing out the odd counter here and there.
Against both John Ryder and Tyron Zeuge, though, Parker, 26-1 (18 KOs), was, at times, struggling to keep the two come-forward fighters off his chest.
Not only that, but with Zeuge flooring him in the second round of their encounter last year, there is a genuine sign of vulnerability that Buatsi might latch onto ahead of their Queensberry main event.
Ultimately, Parker seems like a fighter that tends to fall short against calculated aggressors; those who know how to expertly cut off the ring.
The style of Buatsi, therefore, is unlikely to present him with an opportunity to break away from that pattern.
Joshua Buatsi vs Zach Parker prediction
Buatsi, seeking a statement performance, may look to start fast against Parker, whose unorthodox style could offer him a few challenges early doors.
As their light-heavyweight fight progresses into the middle rounds, though, Buatsi’s imposing frame and relentless aggression should begin to take over.
At that point, it feels like an emphatic finish, where Buatsi pins his man against the ropes and unleashes a ferocious onslaught, could be on the cards.
But, equally, we now know that, if things do get a little prickly for his liking, Buatsi has it in him to carve out a more workmanlike display, this time many of the technical and physical advantages in his favour.
