UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
