British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, 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 seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
