UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to capture the continental title.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
