British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Match
His career development has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
