British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental championship.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the fighters traded hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, everything their idol Hatton embodied.
