Boxing news: Hutchinson beats Buatsi to win vacant WBC title

Boxing news from Manchester on Saturday night named a new British world champion. Willy Hutchinson beat Joshua Buatsi by unanimous decision at the AO Arena. The judges scored the rematch 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113. BBC Sport reported the cards from ringside.

The contest was for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title. It had first been planned as an interim fight. BBC Sport said David Benavidez gave up the WBC belt to move up to cruiserweight. The Manchester bout was then upgraded to the full title.

Hutchinson had lost their first meeting by split decision in 2024. Buatsi knocked him down twice on that night. This time the Scotsman used his feet and his hand speed. Sky Sports said Buatsi struggled to land the same body shots.

Boxing news on the Manchester scorecards

Hutchinson took a grip on the fight in the early rounds. Sky Sports said his movement and quick combinations forced Buatsi to chase him. Buatsi found more urgency later and closed the range. He landed punches to head and body as the rounds ticked down.

Hutchinson stayed on the back foot in the last round. Sky Sports said he was content with his lead and saw the fight out. There were no knockdowns this time, unlike their first meeting.

The win made Hutchinson the eighth British light-heavyweight world champion. BBC Sport said he is the first since Nathan Cleverly in 2017. Hutchinson moves to 21 wins and two defeats. It is the second professional loss for Buatsi in 22 fights. Those figures are now part of the boxing news from Saturday night.

Sky Sports recorded Buatsi’s other defeat as a points loss to Callum Smith in 2025. Our earlier report on the vacant WBC title set out how the Manchester date changed. The UK time and how-to-watch guide covered the ring-walk plans for fight night.

What Hutchinson said after the bell

Hutchinson, 28, was emotional when the scores were read out. BBC Sport, at the AO Arena, recorded him telling the story he has carried since he was a boy.

“I want to tell the story one more time. I was 13-years-old. My dad was working in Sweden. I signed it in a book, I said I will become a world champion. Let’s go!”

He then turned to his coach. Hutchinson said he would not have been there, or even in boxing, without him. He said his trainer had dug him out of a hole he thought he would never escape. “This is all a bonus baby,” he added, as quoted by BBC Sport.

BBC Sport said the Manchester crowd favoured Hutchinson on the night. Ticket sales were modest for a world title fight, and the upper tier was closed. Those inside still made themselves heard when the decision was announced.

Boxing news from the vacant WBC title fight

Detail	Result
Result	Willy Hutchinson beat Joshua Buatsi by unanimous decision
Scorecards	117-112, 115-113, 115-113
Title	Vacant WBC light-heavyweight title
Venue	AO Arena, Manchester
Hutchinson record	21-2
Buatsi record	Second professional defeat in 22 fights

Anthony Yarde and the road ahead

Anthony Yarde watched from ringside. After the result he stepped into the ring. Hutchinson spoke to him there, according to BBC Sport.

“He’s no walkover but let’s go. Him next.”

That is Hutchinson’s own suggestion, not a signed fight announcement. No date, venue or broadcaster has been confirmed for a next bout. BBC Sport also noted other names in the division. One is the winner of Dmitry Bivol against Callum Smith on 12 December. Another is Ben Whittaker, who is ranked with the WBC. Those remain possible options rather than agreed contests.

Follow our world title fights hub and our wider boxing coverage as the new champion’s path becomes clearer. The boxing news from Manchester is now settled. Hutchinson is the WBC champion, and Buatsi has a second professional defeat.