British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Win in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the silence became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.
