British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the pair traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
