British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental championship.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
