British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, 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 fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
