UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to secure the continental title.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
