Willy Hutchinson defeats Joshua Buatsi to claim WBC light-heavyweight title

Willy Hutchinson became WBC light-heavyweight champion with a unanimous-decision victory over Joshua Buatsi at Manchester's AO Arena on Saturday, 7 November. According to BBC Sport's ringside report, the judges scored the rematch 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113 for the Scot, who won his first world title and overturned the outcome of their previous encounter.

Watch the highlights:

The 28-year-old improved his professional record to 21 wins and two defeats. Buatsi had won their first meeting by split decision in 2024, knocking Hutchinson down twice with body punches. Hutchinson entered the return bout having recorded two victories since that loss, and this time all three judges favoured him after another contest that went to the scorecards.

The stakes had changed before the fighters entered the ring. Originally arranged for the WBC interim championship, the bout became a contest for the full title after David Benavidez relinquished the belt to move to cruiserweight. That change gave Hutchinson and Buatsi the opportunity to leave Manchester as world champion rather than as the holder of an interim title.

BBC Sport reported that Buatsi again targeted the body, but Hutchinson was better equipped to deal with that approach than in their first fight. The Scot changed stances and put together sequences of quick jabs as the contest progressed. His corner encouraged him after the ninth round, and he maintained his advantage despite Buatsi's efforts to turn the fight around late on.

Hutchinson's victory also fulfilled an ambition he had recorded as a child. Speaking after the result, he recalled writing at the age of 13 that he would become a world champion. He thanked his coach for helping him through a difficult period and continuing his boxing career. The BBC reported that the crowd had backed Hutchinson throughout the evening and celebrated the announcement of his win.

Attention immediately turned to potential opponents, with Anthony Yarde watching from ringside before entering the ring. Hutchinson identified the former world-title challenger as someone he wanted to face next. That exchange was not confirmation of a scheduled fight: the immediate outcome in Manchester was Hutchinson's first world championship and a successful response to his defeat by Buatsi just over two years earlier.