British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.
