UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to secure the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a chant of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
