British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the duo exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
