British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton stood for.
