British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, everything their hero the legend embodied.
