Willy Hutchinson defeated Joshua Buatsi by unanimous decision on 7 November 2026 in Manchester, the WBC confirmed. The result gave the Scottish boxer the WBC interim light-heavyweight title.
Hutchinson takes the decision across the cards
The WBC's November 2026 report recorded scores of 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113 in Hutchinson's favour. The unanimous verdict meant every judge placed Hutchinson ahead, even though Buatsi finished the contest strongly.
According to the WBC account, Hutchinson used movement and counter-punching to find success. Buatsi pressed forward and attacked the body. That late pressure did not reverse the officials' assessment, and the title went to the boxer who had entered the rematch seeking to overturn their earlier result.
The bout ended on the scorecards. Hutchinson left the AO Arena with the interim belt after a fight that the WBC said went the full distance. The result confirmed a change in the rivalry after Buatsi had taken their Wembley contest.
Wembley defeat frames the Manchester reversal
The WBC's pre-fight account recorded a split-decision win for Buatsi at Wembley. It also described knockdowns for Buatsi and Hutchinson's recovery to reach the final bell. The Manchester verdict reversed the outcome of their first meeting.
SportsRivo compared the WBC's pre-fight account with its result report: Buatsi's earlier split decision followed knockdowns, while every judge backed Hutchinson in the rematch. The change in verdict gives the new titleholder a direct answer to the defeat that had shaped this pairing.
Interim belt and rivalry standings
- Hutchinson now holds the WBC interim light-heavyweight title after beating the opponent who had defeated him at Wembley.
- Buatsi missed the interim belt in Manchester, and the rivals have each won one of their meetings.