British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, 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 ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
