British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to secure the continental title.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
