British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the continental championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
