Willy Hutchinson claimed the WBC light-heavyweight title following a standout performance against Joshua Buatsi in Manchester. The 28-year-old secured a narrow victory in their intense rematch, with the judges scoring the fight 117-112, 115-113, and 115-113, avenging his loss to Buatsi earlier in 2024.
Originally scheduled as an interim title bout, the fight was elevated to full WBC champion status after David Benavidez vacated the belt to compete in the cruiserweight division. Hutchinson, a Scotsman, fulfilled a lifelong ambition — he revealed before the fight that at 13 years old, he had written in a book his dream of becoming a WBC champion.
An emotional Hutchinson expressed gratitude toward his coach, acknowledging the vital role he played in helping him overcome personal challenges to reach this milestone. Despite modest ticket sales that indicated limited national interest, the Manchester crowd created a lively atmosphere, passionately backing Hutchinson as he became Britain’s eighth light-heavyweight champion and the first since Nathan Cleverly in 2017.
Hutchinson’s career record improved to 21 wins and two losses, while Buatsi suffered only his second defeat in 22 professional bouts. Leading up to the fight, many predicted Buatsi, five years older than Hutchinson, was past his prime. The match confirmed those doubts, as Hutchinson confidently controlled much of the fight, unlike their first encounter in 2024 when Buatsi dominated with powerful body shots.
Hutchinson entered the ring to cheers, contrasting with the jeers met by Buatsi, and he demonstrated tactical growth by effectively countering Buatsi’s familiar body attack. Although the venue didn’t fill to capacity and lacked the iconic atmosphere of some past AO Arena fights, Hutchinson kept pressing forward, using quick triple jabs and switching stances to maintain an edge.
With legendary Manchester figure Bez of the Happy Mondays watching ringside, Hutchinson’s team encouraged him during the ninth round, predicting victory in the final stages — a prediction that proved accurate as he withstood Buatsi’s late surge to claim the world title.
Looking ahead, Hutchinson’s new status as world champion positions him as a highly sought-after contender in the light-heavyweight ranks. Among potential matchups, former world title challenger Anthony Yarde, who attended the fight ringside, expressed readiness to face Hutchinson next. Should that bout not materialize, Hutchinson might square off against the winner of the upcoming Dmitry Bivol versus Callum Smith unification fight on 12 December, setting the stage for a major undisputed title clash in 2027. Another possible challenger is domestic rival Ben Whittaker, ranked third by the WBC and holder of the silver title.
Fan Take: Willy Hutchinson’s rise to WBC champion breathes fresh excitement into the light-heavyweight division, showcasing the next generation of British boxing talent. His victory opens thrilling possibilities for high-stakes matchups that could reshape the sport’s landscape and captivate fight fans worldwide.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
