British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental championship.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
