UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to secure the continental title.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
