British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
