Willy Hutchinson, 28, captured the vacant WBC light heavyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Joshua Buatsi, 33, at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday, reversing the result of their 2024 encounter and becoming Scotland’s first men’s world champion since Josh Taylor’s reign ended three years ago, ESPN reported.
Buatsi, whose talent had prompted high expectations since he turned professional after winning an Olympic bronze medal in 2016, has now suffered two defeats, which leaves doubts about whether he will fulfill that potential. For Hutchinson, this is the culmination of a rapid maturation process that answered the tactical riddles left over from their first bout.
Hutchinson Calls for Yarde Fight
- The Anthony Yrade fight is a possible next step: Hutchinson called for Yarde in the ring, and the Englishman congratulated the new champion in the ring after the fight.
The Tactical Takedown: How Hutchinson Neutralized Buatsi’s Body Attack
The critical tactical adjustment from their first meeting was Hutchinson’s refusal to engage in the close-range exchanges that allowed Buatsi to land crushing body shots that dropped him twice in 2024. Hutchinson was sharper and busier, especially in the first half of the fight, and Buatsi took too long to get into the fight. Hutchinson “often toyed with his opponent in the centre of the ring,” a direct result of this disciplined approach.
While Hutchinson was sharper and busier, especially in the first half, the fight’s complexion changed in the championship rounds. Buatsi, realizing he was down on the scorecards, finally showed the intensity. He landed a significant body shot in Round 8 and increased his work rate in the later rounds, clawing his way back into the fight. However, the damage was done; the early rounds had already been scored decisively in Hutchinson’s favor.
Belt Relinquishment Creates Opportunity
The belt was relinquished by unified cruiserweight champion David Benavidez, who gave it up to concentrate on cruiserweight. This created a unique opportunity for both Hutchinson and Buatsi, who were only ranked in the top 10 by one of the four major sanctioning bodies.
Anthony Yarde, who lost to Benavidez for this very belt a year ago, is now a possible future opponent for Hutchinson, who called for him in the ring.
| Statistic | Willy Hutchinson | Joshua Buatsi |
|---|---|---|
| Record (KOs) | 21-2 (14 KOs) | 20-2 (13 KOs) |
| Age | 28 | 33 |
| Last Fight Result | Points win over Ezra Taylor | Majority win over Zach Parker |
Hutchinson Aims for Hatton History
For Hutchinson, capturing the world title in Manchester carries a special historical resonance. The AO Arena is the hallowed ground where the city’s favorite boxing son, Ricky Hatton, first became a world champion in a thriller against Kostya Tszyu in June 2005. As noted in the fight report, this did not reach those same heights, with the upper tier closed due to a lack of ticket sales. However, for Hutchinson, the significance was not lost. He was fighting on the same stage as a local legend, and with Manchester royalty Bez, of the Happy Mondays, watching from ringside, the weight of history seemed to be on his side, adding another layer of meaning to his victory.
“I was 13 years old when I said I would be WBC champion, I wrote it in a book, and now I am world champion. I should have beaten him two years ago, but we got the job done with balls of steel.”
— Willy Hutchinson
While Buatsi faces an uncertain future, his career at a crossroads, Hutchinson’s is now on a clear upward trajectory, with the world at his feet and Yarde a possible future opponent. The question is no longer if he can hang with the elite, but how long he can reign as champion.
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