British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the better periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
