UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.
