British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning 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 judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.
