British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
His career development has slowed in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
