British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the silence became a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
