British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the continental belt.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, everything their hero the legend represented.
