UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Match
His career development has slowed in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.
