British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the continental title.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the duo traded powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
