British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental championship.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
