Willy Hutchinson secured the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Joshua Buatsi at the AO Arena in Manchester. The 28-year-old Scotsman earned the championship by avenging a 2024 defeat to the Londoner, improving his professional record to 21 wins and two losses.
Hutchinson avenges 2024 defeat in Manchester
Hutchinson, who made his professional debut in 2017, outboxed Buatsi over 12 rounds to claim the belt.
Judges scored the contest 117-112, 115-113, and 115-113 in favor of Hutchinson. Prior to the fight, both athletes made weight, with Hutchinson hitting the scales at 174.5lbs and Buatsi weighing 174.9lbs. This encounter follows their September 2024 meeting in London, which Bad Left Hook described as a close and controversial split decision victory for Buatsi.
During the bout, Buatsi attempted to replicate the strategy used in their first fight by landing heavy shots to the body. In their 2024 match, Buatsi had used such shots to cause Hutchinson to fall twice. However, Hutchinson appeared to be a different fighter this time, frequently playing with his opponent in the center of the ring. Despite late advances from Buatsi, Hutchinson maintained his position to secure the win.
The atmosphere inside the AO Arena was raucous, with the Manchester crowd favoring Hutchinson. While Hutchinson entered to cheers, Buatsi was met with boos during his ring walk. The event saw some attendance fluctuations; the upper tier of the arena remained closed due to insufficient ticket sales, and spectators left the venue following the co-main event victory of Jack Rafferty. Rafferty defeated Hovhannes Martirosyan via unanimous decision (114-113, 116-111, and 116-111) to claim the IBO title. Bad Left Hook reported that Brad Rea won his match against Ezra Taylor by TKO in the second round at the 0:58 mark, noting the referee could have intervened earlier as Taylor lacked steady footing.
Reflecting on the achievement, Hutchinson described the win as the fulfillment of a goal he had documented when he was 13 years old.
I want to tell the story one more time. I was 13-years-old. My dad was working in Sweden. I signed it in a book, I said I will become a world champion. Let’s go!
Willy Hutchinson, via Yahoo
Hutchinson becomes eighth British light-heavyweight champion
The victory makes Hutchinson the eighth British light-heavyweight champion, the first since Nathan Cleverly in 2017, according to Yahoo. As the new champion, Hutchinson is expected to be a highly sought-after fighter in the division. Manchester royalty Bez of the Happy Mondays observed the fight from ringside, where Hutchinson’s corner staff told the fighter after the ninth round that he would be world champion in three rounds.
Bad Left Hook noted that Yarde, who has faced world title challenges in 2019, 2023, and 2025, may seek another belt in 2027.
Hutchinson may also face the winner of the Dmitry Bivol versus Callum Smith contest scheduled for 12 December, which could lead to an undisputed bout in 2027, according to Yahoo.
Willy Hutchinson defeats Joshua Buatsi (20-2, 13 KOs) by unanimous decision. Scores were 115-113, 115-113 & 117-111 for Hutchinson, who improves to 21-2, 14 KOs & wins the vacant WBC light heavyweight title. Willy avenged split decision loss to Buatsi in 2024. #boxing…
Regarding the performance, Bleacher Report said analyst Darren Barker described Hutchinson as The right man, 100 percent,
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Earlier coverage: Cheavon Clarke stops Chris Billam-Smith in seventh round