World Boxing Council interim light-heavyweight title: Hutchinson beats Buatsi

Willy Hutchinson beat Joshua Buatsi at Manchester’s AO Arena on 7 November 2026, to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) interim light-heavyweight championship. All three judges scored the fight for Hutchinson.

The result reversed their first meeting on 21 September 2024, at Wembley Stadium. Buatsi knocked Hutchinson down twice and won a split decision for the World Boxing Organization’s interim light-heavyweight title.

The WBC’s official result calls Hutchinson’s new title interim. BBC Sport gave a different account: it said the contest had been upgraded to the full WBC championship after David Benavidez gave up the belt to move to cruiserweight.

How Hutchinson won the rematch

The WBC said Hutchinson found success with his movement and counterpunching. Buatsi pressed forward and attacked the body, but his strong finish was not enough to win over the judges.

Hutchinson advanced in the later rounds, throwing quick triple jabs and switching stances before holding off Buatsi’s late attacks. The Scottish boxer had won twice since their first fight and said he had matured in that time. His professional record now stands at 21 wins and two defeats.

As an amateur, Hutchinson won middleweight gold at the 2016 Youth World Championships.

After the fight, Hutchinson recalled writing at age 13 that he would become a world champion. He thanked his coach, saying that without his help through a difficult period he did not think he would still be boxing.

Possible next opponents

Hutchinson called for former world title challenger Anthony Yarde to be his next opponent. BBC Sport presented the matchup as a possibility, not a booked fight.