British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry fight to secure the continental title.
The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.
