British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
