Boxing is a strange sport.

Zach Parker has been competing at title level for seven years but the 31-year-old light heavyweight has probably received more attention and publicity from last weekend's controversial majority decision loss to Joshua Buatsi than his previous 27 fights combined.

Parker was on his way home after a long day of media when The Ring caught up with him.

"Keep it out there and keep people talking," Parker (26-2, 18 KOs) said.

"That's why I've been doing these interviews. With boxing, there will be another show the next weekend or the same happens and it gets brushed under the carpet or forgotten.

"Honestly, I'm just really pleased people are talking about it."

Parker and Buatsi (20-1, 13 KOs) were fully aware of just how important Saturday's fight was. Both knew that victory would put them in position for a shot at the winner of David Benavidez's upcoming WBC 175-pound world title defence against Anthony Yarde.

In addition to that, both are highly ranked by the WBO whilst the WBA attached a minor ranking belt to Saturday's fight.

It wasn't a pretty spectacle but when the bell rang to end the tenth and final round, for a brief period of time Parker looked ideally placed to attack the 175-pound division on all fronts. The judges decision changed those plans quickly.

As well as talking loudly about the injustice most feel he suffered last weekend, Parker and his team have been hard at work behind the scenes.

"My team have put in an appeal with the WBA," he said.

"If they decide to order a rematch, I'll happily do it. Really though, I think I should be the one moving on. I should be the one waiting for a shot at the winner of Benavidez and Yarde."

Parker was badly in need of a confidence-boosting performance.

He has struggled to find his form since a broken hand forced him to retire after the fourth round of an WBO interim super middleweight title fight with John Ryder back in 2022.

Since then, there have been late opponent changes, cancelled dates and a move up in weight. Parker reeled off four consecutive wins but the Buatsi bout had a sink-or-swim feel.

A scare-free start was crucial to Parker's chances of springing a surprise. The elusive gameplan he and his trainer, Errol Johnson, put together worked from the opening bell and, by the middle rounds, Parker knew things were going his way.

"I was thinking, 'This isn't getting any harder like I thought, I'm alright here.' I didn't really have to get out of second gear," he said.

"The other fights I've had building up to this one took more out of me."

Buatsi is The Ring's No. 5-ranked contender and began the year as the WBO interim champion and, regardless of how it looked or the judges' decision, Parker woke up on Sunday morning knowing he can compete with the division's leading lights.

He wants to get back in the ring early in the new year and build on the momentum last weekend's controversy generated.

"It's done loads for my confidence," he said.

"I've been doing a lot of strength and conditioning work, built myself up to the light heavyweight division.

"It's the first time for ages that I've had no niggles or injury. Give me a proper training camp and an opponent who doesn't pull out, I’m confident I can beat any of these boys."