What changed
Willy Hutchinson beat Joshua Buatsi by unanimous decision at Manchester’s AO Arena on 7 November 2026 to become WBC light-heavyweight champion. The judges scored it 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113, giving Hutchinson revenge for his 2024 defeat and improving his record to 21 wins and two losses.
The title was upgraded from interim status after David Benavidez vacated the WBC belt to move up to cruiserweight. Hutchinson is now the eighth British light-heavyweight champion, and the first since Nathan Cleverly in 2017.
Why it matters
This was not simply a second chance for Hutchinson. It was a tactical rewrite of the first fight. Buatsi had knocked him down twice in 2024 with body shots, but Hutchinson now had answers: he switched stances, used rapid triple jabs and controlled the centre of the ring.
Buatsi looked short of ideas as the rematch wore on. Hutchinson advanced late, held off Buatsi’s final push and turned a close rivalry into a world-title win. His own explanation was simpler: he had matured.
The setting added a curious contrast. Manchester’s crowd embraced Hutchinson, but modest ticket sales meant the AO Arena’s upper tier was closed. The atmosphere inside was still loud; the wider demand for the fight was less convincing. What happens next is unsettled, but Hutchinson’s new belt makes him one of the division’s most important fighters.
Comments
No comments yet.