Willy Hutchinson Beats Joshua Buatsi to Win WBC Light-Heavyweight Title

Willy Hutchinson won his first world championship by defeating Joshua Buatsi on a unanimous decision at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday, 7 November. The 28-year-old Scot took the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title, reversing the outcome of their 2024 meeting. The judges scored the rematch 117–112, 115–113 and 115–113 in his favour. Hutchinson used his jab, combinations and changes of stance to build his lead, while Buatsi attacked the body and pressed in the later rounds. Hutchinson kept his advantage through the finish. The result took his professional record to 21 wins and two defeats; Buatsi has now lost twice in 22 professional contests. After the fight, Hutchinson recalled writing down his ambition when he was 13. “I said I will become a world champion,” he said. He also thanked his coach and credited him with supporting him through a difficult period. The victory followed two intervening wins for Hutchinson after his first encounter with Buatsi, who had knocked him down twice with body punches in that bout. The WBC had confirmed the championship’s vacant status in a statement on 9 October. It said David Benavidez had notified the council that he would continue his career at cruiserweight, and sanctioned Buatsi against Hutchinson for the light-heavyweight world title. The council also said Benavidez retained the right to challenge for the championship.