British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the continental championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.
