British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.
