British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their hero Hatton embodied.
