Hutchinson beats Buatsi to win WBC light-heavyweight title in Manchester rematch
PauseandPonderTV · Sun, 8 Nov 2026The Scot won a unanimous decision, avenging his 2024 defeat. It is Buatsi's second loss as a professional.
Willy Hutchinson is the new WBC light-heavyweight champion after beating Joshua Buatsi on points in their rematch in Manchester on Saturday night.
The judges scored the fight 115-113, 115-113 and 117-112, all in Hutchinson's favour, giving him the vacant world title.
Hutchinson used his hand speed and movement to frustrate Buatsi in the early rounds. Buatsi, the British-Ghanaian 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, came on stronger in the second half of the fight, but Hutchinson kept his distance in the last round to see out the win.
It was revenge for the Scottish fighter. Buatsi knocked him down twice and won a split decision when they first met at Wembley in 2024.
The defeat is only the second of Buatsi's professional career, after he lost on points to Callum Smith in 2025. Anthony Yarde, who watched from ringside, could be next in line to challenge the new champion.
Source: this report is based on reporting by Sky Sports, Yahoo Sports and Boxing News 24.
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