Joshua Buatsi makes weight at second attempt before Hutchinson title rematch

Joshua Buatsi made the light-heavyweight championship limit at his second attempt on Friday before being booed by Willy Hutchinson's supporters at their ceremonial weigh-in in Manchester. BBC Sport reported that Buatsi initially came in an ounce over the limit during the morning's official procedure, then successfully weighed again after removing his clothes.

Watch the highlights:

The later public appearance at Freight Island brought the fighters face to face in front of around 100 spectators, according to the BBC. Hutchinson received a loud welcome, while Buatsi responded to the jeers by cupping his ears and encouraging the crowd. The exchange followed a media-only news conference on Thursday that had taken place without the same public audience.

The contest at AO Arena on Saturday, November 7, is for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight world championship. BBC Sport reported that it was upgraded from an interim-title bout after David Benavidez relinquished the belt to move to cruiserweight. Buatsi, 33, is an Olympic bronze medallist from 2016; Hutchinson is 28.

Their first meeting ended in a split decision for Buatsi at Wembley Stadium on September 21, 2024. MiddleEasy's report on Friday's weigh-in recalled that Buatsi knocked Hutchinson down in the sixth and ninth rounds, but the Scottish boxer recovered both times and completed all 12 rounds. Two judges scored the contest 117-108 and 115-110 for Buatsi, while the third favoured Hutchinson 113-112.

MiddleEasy also detailed how both fighters rebuilt after defeats. Buatsi lost to Callum Smith in early 2025 before defeating Zach Parker that November. Hutchinson subsequently recorded wins over Mark Jeffers and Ezra Taylor, with the Taylor victory coming in Manchester in March. Their records now stand at 20-1 for Buatsi and 20-2 for Hutchinson, with 13 and 14 knockouts respectively.

Friday's completed weigh-in was the latest development in a rivalry that had already required security intervention before their first fight. Citing Queensberry's account, MiddleEasy reported that the earlier build-up included a filmed confrontation in which the men had to be separated, followed by another intervention at the final staredown.