British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life 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 split decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising forming under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
