British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their idol the legend stood for.
