British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, merited the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage 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 match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
