UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi 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 next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental belt.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their idol the legend embodied.
