Joshua Buatsi VS Willy Hutchinson
Venue: AO Arena, Manchester, United KingdomBout for the Vacant WBC World Light Heavyweight Championship (up to 79.379 kg)
Two years after their first encounter, Joshua Buatsi (20-1, 13 KOs) and Willy Hutchinson (20-2, 14 KOs) will meet again, this time with the vacant WBC World Light Heavyweight title on the line. The rematch is scheduled for November 7, 2026, at AO Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom.
In September 2024, Buatsi defeated Hutchinson by split decision, knocking his opponent down twice — in the sixth and ninth rounds. The Scottish boxer will now have an opportunity to avenge that defeat and claim his first full WBC world championship title.
The bout was initially scheduled to be contested for the WBC Interim title. However, following David Benavidez’s decision to move up to the cruiserweight division and vacate his light heavyweight belt, the contest was upgraded to a WBC World Championship bout.
For both boxers, this will be an opportunity to capture their first full WBC world title.
