UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the quiet became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
