British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling 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 performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
