British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the continental championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the duo traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.
