British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, 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 appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the continental championship.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
