Hutchinson beats Buatsi to win WBC light-heavyweight title

Image source, Queensberry Promotions

Willy Hutchinson (left) became only the second man to defeat Joshua Buatsi as a professional

Willy Hutchinson was crowned the WBC light-heavyweight champion after he produced the performance of his career to beat Joshua Buatsi in Manchester.

Hutchinson, 28, edged the tense rematch with the judges scoring it 117-112, 115-113, 115-113 to avenge his defeat by Buatsi in 2024.

Saturday’s contest was initially for the interim title but was upgraded when American David Benavidez gave up the WBC gold to move up to cruiserweight.

Scotland’s Hutchinson and Londoner Buatsi met for the second time, just over two years after the Londoner earned a split-decision win in a thrilling first contest, but this time it was Hutchinson who came out on top as he improved his record to 21 wins with two defeats.

It was a childhood dream come true for Hutchinson, who said before the fight he wrote about his dreams of becoming a WBC champion at the age of 13.

An emotional Hutchinson said after his win was confirmed: “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!

“Can I say thank you to my coach because I’ll you one thing, without him I don’t think I’ll be here today let alone boxing. This man dug me out of a hole that I never thought that I would get out of, so this is all a bonus baby.”

Buatsi looked a shadow of the fighter who put Hutchinson on the canvas twice in their first meeting, seeming short of ideas on how to catch the slick Scot.

Ticket sales were modest for a world title fight as it was clear that it did not capture the attention of the British public. But those inside made the atmosphere as raucous as possible, with the Manchester crowd favouring Hutchinson.

And they were delighted when the result was read out and Hutchinson became the eighth British light-heavyweight champion – the first since Nathan Cleverly in 2017.

Hutchinson shows class to join British elite

Fight week was dominated by predictions that Buatsi, five years Hutchinson’s senior, is over the hill.

And the Londoner did nothing to prove otherwise as Hutchinson often toyed with his opponent in the centre of the ring.

The first fight in 2024 had Buatsi walking to the ring as a comfortable favourite, and he backed that up with crushing body shots to send Hutchinson tumbling twice.

But this time around, Hutchinson was a different fighter. In his own words, he had “matured” after picking up two wins since last facing Buatsi.

Hutchinson clearly had the crowd on his side as he made the walk to cheers, while Buatsi was met by a chorus of boos as he paraded around the ring before the bell.

For Buatsi, the strategy was very much the same as the first encounter – whip shots into the body – but Hutchinson now had answers.

The AO Arena is famous for its boxing nights with the city’s favourite boxing son, Ricky Hatton, becoming world champion here for the first time in June 2005 in a thriller against Kostya Tszyu.

This did not reach those heights, as the upper tier was closed off because of a lack of ticket sales – and fans of Manchester’s Jack Rafferty departed after he won the co-main event.

This did not deter Hutchinson from advancing in the latter rounds and landing rapid triple jabs, while also switching stances.

As Manchester royalty Bez, of the Happy Mondays, watched on from ringside, Hutchinson’s corner told him “three rounds and you’re a world champion” after the ninth.

And they were right. Despite Buatsi’s advances late on, Hutchinson held out to become world champion for the first time.

What next for Hutchinson?

The world is now Hutchinson’s oyster.

Being world champion means Hutchinson will be a wanted man in the light-heavyweight division.

Former world title challenger Anthony Yarde was perched ringside and that is a fight that could thrill British boxing fans – now with gold involved, could it happen?

Hutchinson addressed Yarde, who stepped into the ring and said “he’s no walkover but let’s go. Him next.”

But if Hutchinson v Yarde didn’t work out, then there is the small matter of Dmitry Bivol v Callum Smith for the other three light-heavyweight titles on 12 December.

Whoever wins that could be Hutchinson’s next opponent in what would be a huge undisputed bout in 2027.

One final option to mention is another domestic rival in Ben Whittaker, who is ranked third with the WBC and holds the silver title.

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