British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
