UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
