UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
