Buatsi and Hutchinson Meet Again for the Vacant WBC Light-Heavyweight Title
Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson meet again this Saturday, 7 November, in a rematch for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight world title. The fight takes place at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The two men met before, at Wembley Stadium in September 2024. Buatsi won that night by split decision, which means two of the three judges scored the bout for him and one scored it for Hutchinson. Now the stakes are higher. The bout has been upgraded to a full world title fight, according to DAZN.
The belt is open because David Benavidez gave it up. He vacated the WBC title after moving up to cruiserweight, the division above light-heavyweight. The WBC, or World Boxing Council, is one of four major sanctioning bodies that award world titles, so a vacant belt means the winner walks away as its new holder.
Buatsi was born in Ghana and won bronze for Team GB at the 2016 Olympics. His professional record is 20 wins and 1 defeat, and 13 of those wins came by knockout. Hutchinson has 20 wins and 2 defeats, with 14 wins by stoppage, meaning the referee ended the fight. Both men are proven finishers, which is why the rematch has drawn attention.
Timing matters for anyone planning to watch. The BBC reports that Buatsi and Hutchinson are expected to make their ringwalks, the walk to the ring before a fight, in Manchester at around 22:00 GMT. Live text commentary begins at 21:00 GMT on the BBC Sport website and app. The rematch will be broadcast live on DAZN.
The Manchester show is not the only headline. Chris Billam-Smith faces Cheavon Clarke on the London card at the Copper Box Arena, and both men are also expected to make their ringwalks at around 22:00 GMT.
For a newcomer, the appeal is simple. These two have fought once already, and the result was close enough to leave a question hanging. Saturday gives them the chance to answer it, with a world belt on the line.
