British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
