British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
