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Buatsi v Hutchinson 2 – all you need to know
Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson will meet again for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title in Manchester on Saturday, after Buatsi won their first bout by split decision. The rematch gives Buatsi a chance to claim a world title and Hutchinson an opportunity to avenge his defeat.
Their September 2024 fight at Wembley was a close, entertaining contest: Buatsi scored two knockdowns, while Hutchinson was deducted a point for using his head, and the judges split on the result. Buatsi is 20-1, with 13 wins by knockout; Hutchinson is 20-2, with 14 stoppage wins. Chris Billam-Smith also headlines a separate London card against Cheavon Clarke, with both main events expected to start around 22:00 GMT.
In short
- Buatsi and Hutchinson contest the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title.
- Buatsi won their first meeting by split decision.
- Billam-Smith faces Clarke on a separate London card.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Buatsi can argue that his two knockdowns in the first fight showed he has the power and composure to win again, and that the split decision reflected a close contest rather than an unjust result. A vacant world title is a major opportunity, and repeating the win would establish his claim in the division.
The case against
Hutchinson can argue that the first bout was close enough for the judges to disagree, so the result did not settle who is the better fighter. He will have had the chance to learn from the knockdowns and the point deduction, and a rematch offers a fair opportunity to show he can win the title.
Explained simply
Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson are British professional boxers in the light-heavyweight division. Their first meeting, at Wembley in September 2024, was close: Buatsi knocked Hutchinson down twice, while Hutchinson lost a point for using his head, and the judges disagreed on the winner.
The vacant WBC title is a world championship belt in the light-heavyweight division. A win would give Buatsi the chance to become world champion, while Hutchinson could improve his standing with a win over the opponent who beat him before.