Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson 2 to have world title at stake
The rematch between Joshua Buatsi (20-1, 13 KOs) and Willy Hutchinson (20-2, 14 KOs) will now have the vacant WBC light heavyweight world title at stake.
The two are scheduled to clash on a Nov. 7 Queensberry Promotions card at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. Fight fans around the world will be able to catch the action live on DAZN.
Queensberry Promotions confirmed the development through social media Friday. Initially, an interim version of the WBC world title was to be at stake. However, David Benavidez notified the WBC that he intends to challenge cruiserweight champion Michał Cieślak and that he will vacate the light heavyweight title. As a result, Buatsi-Hutchinson 2 now has the championship belt on the line.
Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson 2 to compete for vacant WBC world title
The first meeting between Buatsi and Hutchinson saw the former win by split decision on the undercard of Daniel Dubois vs. Anthony Joshua. Hutchinson was knocked down in rounds six and nine in that fight. He was also deducted a point in the seventh for use of the head. Although Hutchinson kept things competitive, it felt clear that Buatsi had won, especially given the knockdowns and point deduction. One judge surprisingly had Hutchinson winning, but it did not matter in the end as the other two judges had it the other way.
Neither fighter has officially commented on the fact that their rematch will now have the WBC light heavyweight world title at stake, but have shared Queensberry Promotions’ post about it on their respective Instagram stories.
“CONFIRMED: Buatsi vs Hutchinson is for the WBC Light Heavyweight World Title,” wrote the promotional company in a post to their X account. “Brit vs Brit. World title on the line. Manchester, November 7.”
“Only world title fights on Queensberry between now and the end of the year, with the WBC Light Heavyweight title now on the line in Manchester,” wrote promoter Frank Warren in a post to his X account about the development. “Massive end to 2026 incoming.”
Only world title fights on Queensberry between now and the end of the year, with the WBC Light Heavyweight title now on the line in Manchester.
Massive end to 2026 incoming 🥊
— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) October 9, 2026
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Featured image credit
Queensberry Promotions X
S Saadeq Ahmed
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.