British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life 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 split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.
