British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better periods.
The crowd's patience diminished during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
