British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
