UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced boos from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising developing under his eye as the duo landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
