Sportsupdated 16m ago2 min read
Archive photo · 25 May 2019Willy Hutchinson Beats Joshua Buatsi To Win Vacant WBC Light-Heavyweight Title
“‘There was no need for the fight to be that close,’ analyst Carl Frampton said.”
“He perfectly mixed his natural boxing ability and flair with a mature, poised approach to outbox Buatsi (20-2, 13 KOs) over 12 rounds”
Photo: G-13114, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Hutchinson defeated Buatsi by unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBC belt in Manchester. Scores were 117-112, 115-113, 115-113.
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Hutchinson wins WBC rematch
Willy Hutchinson beat Joshua Buatsi by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title at AO Arena in Manchester, with the judges scoring it 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113. Hutchinson, 28, edged the tense rematch to avenge his defeat by Buatsi in 2024, and the result improved his record to 21 wins with two defeats. Hutchinson won by unanimous decision with scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 117-112, and Hutchinson captured the previously vacant WBC 175 lb title.
Hutchinson outboxed Buatsi over 12 rounds in their rematch and won the vacant WBC world title at Manchester’s AO Arena, with the scores reading 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113. Bleacher Report said analyst Darren Barker called it "The right man, 100 percent," as Hutchinson became a first-time world champion with a unanimous decision.
Build-up and fight dynamics
Fight Freaks Unite said Hutchinson and Buatsi met again as the rematch was upgraded from the vacant WBC interim title after David Benavidez vacated to remain at cruiserweight to defend his unified belts. Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson made weight for their rematch at Manchester's AO Arena, with Buatsi weighing 174.9lbs and Hutchinson hitting the scales at 174.5lbs. Hutchinson told a story about a "to do" list he wrote himself as a 13-year-old, and it said the 28-year-old from Carstairs brought the final leg of his dream to life.
Hutchinson improved his record to 21 wins with two defeats, and the Manchester crowd favoured Hutchinson as the result was read out. Bad Left Hook said Buatsi beat Hutchinson back in September 2024 with a close and controversial split decision in London, setting up the higher stakes this time around.
Undercard results and next
Bad Left Hook said Jack Rafferty defeated Hovhannes Martirosyan by unanimous decision with scores of 114-113, 116-111 and 116-111, and it said Rafferty took The Lightly-Regarded IBO Title™. Bad Left Hook said Brad Rea defeated Ezra Taylor by TKO in Round 2 with official time 0:58, and it said the referee could have stopped it when Taylor was clearly not on steady legs. Bad Left Hook said Gully Powar defeated Zak Miller by Technical Unanimous Decision, and it said the ringside physician stopped the fight due to Miller’s head swelling up terribly due to an accidental headbutt.
BBC said the AO Arena is famous for its boxing nights with Ricky Hatton becoming world champion here for the first time in June 2005 against Kostya Tszyu, and it said the upper tier was closed off because of a lack of ticket sales. Bad Left Hook said it looks like multiple-time challenger Anthony Yarde will get a crack at another belt in 2027 after falling short in world title challenges in 2019, 2023, and 2025.