Scotland’s Hutchinson wins WBC light-heavyweight title
November 9, 2026
1 minute read
Hutchinson decorated with the WBC light-heavyweight belt
WILLY HUTCHINSON was crowned WBC light-heavyweight champion after producing the performance of his career to beat Joshua Buatsi in Manchester on Saturday.
Hutchinson, 28, edged the tense rematch, with the judges scoring it 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113 to avenge his defeat by Buatsi in 2024.
Saturday’s contest was initially for the interim title but was upgraded when American David Benavidez relinquished the WBC title to move up to cruiserweight.
It was a childhood dream come true for Scotland’s Hutchinson, who said before the fight that he had written about his dream of becoming a WBC champion at the age of 13.
An emotional Hutchinson said after his victory was confirmed: “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!”
Hutchinson improved his record to 21 victories with two defeats, while it was the second time Londoner Buatsi had lost in 22 professional fights.
Fight week was dominated by predictions that Buatsi, five years Hutchinson’s senior, was past his prime.
And the Londoner did little to prove otherwise, as Hutchinson often toyed with his opponent in the centre of the ring.
In their first encounter in 2024, Buatsi entered the ring as a comfortable favourite and backed that up with crushing body shots that sent Hutchinson tumbling twice.
But this time around, Hutchinson was a different fighter. In his own words, he had “matured” after picking up two wins since last facing Buatsi.
For Buatsi, the strategy was very much the same as in their first encounter — whipping shots into the body — but Hutchinson now had the answers.
– BBC
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
Read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
