Hutchinson beats Buatsi to win WBC light-heavyweight title

Willy Hutchinson emerged victorious, claiming the WBC light-heavyweight title from Joshua Buatsi in a thrilling fight held in Manchester. The 28-year-old Hutchinson edged out the tense rematch, winning with a score of 117-112, 115-113, 115-113. The original bout was initially for the interim title, but it was upgraded to a world title when American David Benavidez vacated the WBC gold to move up to cruiserweight.

Hutchinson, who has improved his record to 21 wins with two defeats, became only the second man to defeat Buatsi professionally after their first encounter two years prior. The Scottish fighter expressed his childhood dream of becoming a WBC champion, which he achieved after signing a book at age 13 stating, "I will become a world champion."

After the win, Hutchinson thanked his coach, crediting him for bringing him out of a difficult situation. Buatsi, who looked considerably less dominant than in their first meeting, struggled to find ways to outmaneuver Hutchinson. The Manchester crowd preferred Hutchinson, contributing to the raucous atmosphere. Despite Buatsi's efforts, Hutchinson emerged victorious, becoming the first British light-heavyweight champion since Nathan Cleverly in 2017.

The fight raised questions about Buatsi's future, with predictions suggesting he is past his prime. Hutchinson's next opponent could be Anthony Yarde, a former world title challenger, or Dmitry Bivol for an undisputed bout in 2027.