British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
