British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Encounter
His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.
