UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by boos 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 claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Win in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the fighters traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.
