UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning 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 bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.
