UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Match
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped 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 final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.
The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton stood for.
