British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
