British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry fight to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.
