British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Affair
His career development has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental title.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.
