British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental title.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, significant bruising developing under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
