British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental title.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
