Willy Hutchinson was crowned the new WBC light-heavyweight champion of the world after delivering a masterclass in tactical boxing to exact revenge upon domestic rival Joshua Buatsi in a thrilling rematch in Manchester. The Scotsman turned the tables on his adversary, overcoming the memory of their hard-fought first encounter to secure the vacant green-and-gold WBC belt via a unanimous decision victory. When the twelve rounds of intense action came to a close, the judges reflected Hutchinson’s superior ring craftsmanship on their scorecards, awarding him the win with tallies of 115-113, 115-113, and 117-112.
The victory marks a momentous redemption arc for Hutchinson, who had previously suffered a agonizing split decision defeat at the hands of Buatsi when the two top-tier light-heavyweights first locked horns in 2024. In that initial battle, Buatsi had managed to floor Hutchinson twice, utilizing his trademark heavy hands and relentless pressure to claim a razor-thin victory. That original defeat left unfinished business between the two fighters, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch where Hutchinson knew he had to make critical strategic adjustments if he was to avoid the power shots that had previously sent him to the canvas and claim the ultimate prize in the 175-pound division.
From the opening bell in Manchester, it became immediately clear that Hutchinson had crafted a refined game plan designed to neutralize Buatsi’s explosive power. The Scotsman took a firm grip on the fight during the early rounds, utilizing his swift hand speed, supreme footwork, and elusive movement to frustrate Buatsi at every turn. Operating with remarkable discipline and spatial awareness, Hutchinson refused to stand stationary in front of his rival, constantly changing angles and creating distance that left Buatsi struggling to set his feet or find his rhythm.
Throughout those opening rounds, Hutchinson’s fleet-footed approach paid massive dividends. Where Buatsi had successfully landed damaging power punches in their 2024 clash, he now found himself hitting thin air or catching the guard of a target that refused to stay still. Hutchinson controlled the distance effortlessly, backing up his defensive evasion with sharp, accurate counter-punching. Whenever Buatsi attempted to close the gap and press forward, the Scotsman met him with rapid, fluid combinations, snapping back Buatsi’s head and racking up rounds on the scorecards with stylish consistency.
As the contest progressed into the second half, the atmosphere inside the Manchester arena grew increasingly tense as Buatsi recognized that the bout was drifting away from him. Displaying commendable grit and determination, Buatsi adjusted his approach and fought with heightened urgency. He began to press the action far more aggressively, attempting to cut off the ring and trap the mobile Scotsman against the ropes. Buatsi succeeded in closing the range with greater frequency, lashing in forceful punches targeted at both the head and the body in an effort to wear down Hutchinson’s legs and slow his blistering movement.
The middle to late rounds turned into a compelling battle of styles and wills. Buatsi’s bodily assault and relentless forward momentum forced Hutchinson into moments of heavy defense, as the London-based contender poured on the pressure in search of a fight-altering blow. However, despite Buatsi’s second-half surge and willingness to engage in punishing inside exchanges, Hutchinson remained remarkably composure-bound. The Scotsman absorbed the incoming fire, answered back with timely counter strikes, and managed to prevent Buatsi from landing the definitive, contest-ending sequence he desperately sought.
Entering the twelfth and final round, the tactical narrative reached its climax. Knowing that he had built up a solid foundation on the judges’ scorecards through his commanding early work and continuous counter-punching, Hutchinson chose a calculated path to victory. He remained composed on the back foot throughout the final three minutes, refusing to engage in unnecessary firefights that could jeopardize his lead. Content with his bank of successful rounds and maintaining strict defensive responsibility, Hutchinson expertly navigated the remaining seconds, maneuvering away from Buatsi’s late charges and closing out a sweet, decisive victory to officially capture the vacant WBC title.
The official reading of the scorecards confirmed Hutchinson’s coronation, with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 117-112 reflecting a clear and well-deserved unanimous decision. For the newly minted champion, the triumph served as the pinnacle of his career to date, transforming his previous loss into a valuable lesson that ultimately paved his way to world championship glory. His ability to adjust his strategy, avoid the dangerous knockdowns that defined their first meeting, and out-box a dangerous puncher over twelve gruelling rounds demonstrated his evolution as an elite world-class light-heavyweight.
For Joshua Buatsi, the result represents a severe setback in his pursuit of world title honors. This Manchester defeat is the second loss of his professional career, coming on the heels of a points loss to Callum Smith in another high-profile domestic clash in 2025. Having previously built an impressive path toward the top of the division—highlighted by his split decision win over Hutchinson in 2024—Buatsi now finds himself reflecting on consecutive high-stakes losses against top-tier British opposition. The loss to Smith in 2025 followed by this championship defeat to Hutchinson puts Buatsi in a position where he must rebuild and re-evaluate his path forward in an exceptionally deep weight class.
The dramatic outcome in Manchester also sends shockwaves through the broader light-heavyweight landscape, particularly concerning potential marquee matchups on the horizon. Anthony Yarde was watching the action closely from ringside, closely monitoring two men with whom his career path has long been intertwined. For months, boxing fans and pundits had anticipated a long-awaited, explosive showdown between Yarde and his long-time domestic rival Buatsi. However, Hutchinson’s triumphant performance has altered those plans and dramatically shifted the dynamics of potential domestic blockbusters.
With Buatsi handed his second professional defeat, Yarde might now find his long-awaited fight against Buatsi pushed aside in favor of a fresh, world-title opportunity. Instead of pursuing the match with Buatsi, Yarde could now switch his sights directly to a fight against Hutchinson, targeting the newly crowned champion and his freshly acquired WBC belt. A clash between the explosive power of Yarde and the refined, fleet-footed boxing skills of Hutchinson would represent one of the most intriguing matchups available in the light-heavyweight division.
Ultimately, the night in Manchester belonged entirely to Willy Hutchinson. By turning his 2024 split decision defeat into a decisive 2026 unanimous victory, the Scotsman proved his resilience, tactical intelligence, and elite standing within the sport. With the vacant WBC light-heavyweight championship now wrapped around his waist, Hutchinson stands at the summit of the division, holding all the leverage as potential challengers—including Anthony Yarde—begin to line up for a shot at his newly claimed crown.
