British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, merited the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat 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 halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry contest to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
