UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, 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 appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton stood for.
