British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better periods.
The crowd's patience decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the duo traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
