Alan Dawson Uncrowned Updated Sun, November 8, 2026 at 12:18 AM UTC About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a case of revenge rather than repeat, as Willy Hutchinson defeated Joshua Buatsi to win the vacant WBC light heavyweight world title in their rematch Saturday at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.
The judges scored the fight 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113, all in Hutchinson's favor.
The 28-year-old Hutchinson (21-2, 14 KOs) suffered a previous split decision defeat to Buatsi, 33, in September 2024, when he was knocked down twice inside London's Wembley Stadium.
But little more than two years later, Buatsi (20-2, 13 KOs) appeared slow and second-best for the bulk of the fight, increasingly confounded by the Scotsman's expert footwork, evasive movement, and sharp counterpunching.
A Buatsi rally in the championship rounds proved to be too little, too late, although it at least prevented Hutchinson from cruising to the win. Buatsi pummeled Hutchinson's body with shots, finding success when trapping him in the corners of the ring.
Hutchinson, however, weathered the storm and ground out the unanimous decision, capturing his first world championship.
Following his victory, Hutchinson called for another battle of Britain next, this time against a three-time world title challenger.
"Anthony Yarde," Hutchinson said post-fight. "Do you want some of this?"
Yarde responded: "It's 100% a fight I'd love to take."
Earlier in the show, Brad Rea (23-2, 12 KOs) beat Ezra Taylor (13-2, 9 KOs) with a terrifying and brutal second-round knockout.
Rea landed with such force that Taylor's body seemed to spin as it fell to the canvas.
Also on the card, Jack Rafferty (28-0-1, 18 KOs) beat a spirited Hovhannes Martirosyan (20-2, 12 KOs) to win the IBO welterweight title, and Gully Powar (14-1-1, 1 KO) beat Zak Miller (17-2, 3 KOs) by technical unanimous decision after the referee stopped the fight because of a grotesque hematoma on Miller's head.
WBC light heavyweight championship: Willy Hutchinson def. Joshua Buatsi via unanimous decision (117-112, 115-113, 115-113)
IBO welterweight championship: Jack Rafferty def. Hovhannes Martirosyan via unanimous decision (114-113, 116-111, 116-111)
Light heavyweight: Brad Rea vs. Ezra Taylor via second-round TKO | Watch finish
British featherweight championship: Gully Powar def. Zak Miller via unanimous technical decision
Middleweight: Stephen Clarke def. Harley Collison via referee's decision (80-72)
Super welterweight: John Joe Carrigan def. Cheikh Diop via third-round KO
Heavyweight: Tony Yoka def. Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko via referee's decision (59-58)
Super middleweight: Javokhir Ummataliev def. Atacayte Santana via referee's decision
Super middleweight: Alex Arthur Jr. def. Jose Aguirre via referee's decision
Super lightweight: Tumi Phillips def. Angelo Dragone via referee's decision
"He's a good fighter, and I said it. I should have beaten this fighter two years ago but he got the job done."
"I want [Anthony Yarde] next," Hutchinson added.
Well deserved with scores of 117-112 and 115-113 (twice).
Joshua Buatsi has had an intensely odd career.
But it seemed to me that Buatsi just took way too long to get going.
Buatsi chases Hutchinson around the ring in the 12th but struggles to pin him down, in a corner, like he had in previous rounds. Hutchinson all too happy to dance and patter his way to his decision win while Buatsi was just ready to throw a hammer. Hutchinson barely has thrown a punch for the last two rounds.
Buatsi keeps putting Hutchinson in the more troubling spots, in the corner, and putting his punches together. Not in quick succession like a combination. But sustained power shots. AND BUATSI CRACKS HIM ON THE JAW! YES! He's actually come alive in the 11th. Why didn't he fight like this earlier?! Hutchinson hits Buatsi to the cheeks. More of a patter compared to Buatsi's blows.
Buatsi gets Hutchinson back into a corner, uncorking hook shots to either side of Hutchinson's body. The attack is sustained. The power is more real than Hutchinson's shots. Both guys possibly tiring. Buatsi better.
Hutchinson has nice digs to the body. Now he's so far ahead, though, and not in any real danger standing in front of Buatsi, he could — COULD — take it up a level. Oh, man. Buatsi just missed a shot that was as bad as Billy Joe Saunders and David Lemieux. Buatsi has Hutchinson in the blue corner. Hutchinson lands half-hearted jabs. Like he's not even trying but still winning. A casual beating.
Hutchinson opens the eighth by hitting Buatsi to the body. Jabs him to the body. Boxing great. Buatsi takes the middle of the ring. Hutchinson turns him. Maneuvers him. Manipulates him. Too good.
Good movement from Hutchinson in the seventh as Buatsi throws some solid shots but they just aren't good enough to land. Buatsi looks old.
Buatsi isn't entirely lost. He has reasonable inside work and lands body shots. But, really, this is quite close to a Hutchinson schooling. He is considerably behind on the cards and looking like he has NO CLUE how to even turn it around.
Buatsi is 33. I'm not sure when his prime was, if he ever had one. He looks slow tonight. And it is the latest in a long line of underwhelming displays. Hutchinson by contrast is in full control, from range, and awkward to hit. The lead just gets bigger.
Man, this could be turning into a clinic from Hutchinson. He's defensively on point. Buatsi is looking at his corner like he doesn't know what to do, struggling to get into any kind of rhythym. Hutchinson is slippery. And Buatsi is a magnet for Hutchinson's fists.
Hutchinson's work from range is expert. He avoids Buatsi's shots, and always seems in the range where he can throw and land while evading what's coming back. Hutchinson picking Buatsi apart, who looks considerably flat in comparison.
Buatsi's good work in the first disappears in the second, as he looks lethargic, perhaps heightened by Hutchinson's refusal to permit his opponent to settle. Buatsi off-balance. Hutchinson picking his shots from the outside. Better work from him.
Both Buatsi and Hutchinson throw thudding shots from the off. Buatsi has a good jab. He also scores when punches have little pull back. Buatsi already looks a level above.
Rafferty says post-fight he had to dig deep. "He's a tough man," he said. "He had a full camp, was fit, strong and healthy. This man is tough."
Martirosyan gives his respect to Rafferty, too, calling him a good guy and good boxer.
One judge has it 114-113. Same as Uncrowned unofficially scored it.
These last few rounds have been grueling. The graze on Rafferty's face is substantial and looks painful. And Rafferty is down! DOWN GOES RAFFERTY! Oh my goodness! That could swing the scorecards if it's given as a 10-8! He almost fell threw the ropes. And the bell rings as he's up on his feet, complaining! Wow!
Source: Sports
