British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Affair
His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their idol Hatton embodied.
