British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the continental championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
