British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
