This is the classic matchup: the aggressor vs. the counterpuncher. Though it would be oversimplified to label Joshua Buatsi as purely aggressive and Zak Parker as strictly reactive.

Yes, Buatsi does tend to pursue his opponent — from the opening seconds. It's not reckless pressure, but measured, consistent forward movement, working as the lead fighter. And when the initiative shifts to his opponent, Buatsi is fully capable of boxing off the back foot as well.

Parker, on the other hand, more often steps back. He works off his opponent, counterattacks, but at the same time remains active with offense and is ready to intercept attacks in transition.

The fighters are nearly the same age — the 32-year-old Buatsi is just a year older. But in terms of experience, Joshua has the edge. His résumé is stronger and deeper: from Dan Azeez to Craig Richards, from Ricards Bolotniks to Liam Smith and Callum Smith.

Parker’s most notable names are Vaughn Alexander and John Ryder — and the latter stopped him.

Also worth noting: Parker and Buatsi met once in the amateurs, where Joshua came away with the win.

The forward-fighting Buatsi is noticeably more active. On average, he throws around 150 punches more per fight — and does so with strong accuracy: about 28% connects, which is 10–11% higher than Parker.

The one area where Parker nearly matches him is power punching accuracy — Buatsi at 33%, Parker at 27%.

However, Parker is extremely consistent. His output typically rises as rounds progress, often peaking in rounds 9–10 — and this fight is scheduled for ten.

Buatsi, in contrast, is most active in the middle of the bout, then tends to decrease his pace toward the final rounds.

For both, this will be their second fight in 2025 — but the previous outings were very different.

Zak Parker faced France’s Diallo and boxed to a comfortable decision win.

Buatsi fought Callum Smith — a significantly tougher opponent — and the fight reflected that. Joshua controlled the early rounds, but Smith worked back into the bout, took over late, and handed Buatsi the first defeat of his professional career.

Statistically, they're nearly identical. Parker holds a slight edge in percentage of stoppages. Visually, it’s similar: both can finish a fight, but neither possesses true one-punch “lights-out” power. They hit hard, just not with the kind of signature knockout shot that ends fights instantly.

Parker’s lone stoppage loss wasn't a knockout — the referee halted the fight against John Ryder after the fourth round.

Buatsi went through Callum Smith — and many other hard hitters — without going down.

So expecting a quick knockout here is unrealistic.

Interestingly, despite being more experienced, Buatsi will be making his first appearance at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. He has already fought in Birmingham and even at Wembley — but not here.

Parker, meanwhile, won his previous fight in this very building, scoring a decision victory.

Buatsi cannot afford to lose. And neither can Parker.

Both are at the point in their careers where they’ve already done a lot — but the title window is narrowing. Every fight now is high-risk. Buatsi is also coming off a defeat. Two losses in a row would greatly hurt his standing. Parker, on the other hand, is back within reach of contention — after the Ryder setback, he needs to capitalize now.

This is exactly the kind of fight where small margins decide everything.

Perhaps Parker’s steady per-round activity will be the difference. Or maybe Buatsi’s accuracy and composure — his greatest assets — will tip the scales.