British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.
