Buatsi and Hutchinson fight for WBC title

Rivals meet for world title

Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson fight for the vacant WBC world light-heavyweight title in Manchester on Saturday. The British rivals first met in September 2024.

Buatsi won the first fight

Londoner Buatsi, thirty-three, twice knocked down Hutchinson before winning by split decision in their September 2024 meeting on the undercard of Daniel Dubois versus Anthony Joshua.

Hutchinson seeking redemption

Scotland's Hutchinson, twenty-eight, suffered his second professional defeat that night but has won twice since, putting him in position to fight for a first world title.

Cameron backs Buatsi stoppage

Two-weight world champion Chantelle Cameron predicts Buatsi may stop Hutchinson in the later rounds. She thinks he gets it done between rounds nine and twelve.

“Buatsi may stop him this time in the later rounds. I think he gets it done between rounds nine and 12.”

Bellew favours Buatsi repeat

Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew backs Buatsi, saying it is very rare people can turn a rematch around when they lose the first one. He predicts possibly late stoppage.

“It's very rare people can turn the rematch around when they lose the first one.”

Frampton edges Hutchinson

Former world champion Carl Frampton says Hutchinson has matured since the first fight and is in good form. He predicts Hutchinson will win on points with the run of form he is on.

“He's matured a lot since that fight and is in good form.”

Barker sees Hutchinson momentum

Former middleweight world champion Darren Barker says Hutchinson is a man in form who has matured both physically and mentally. He backs Hutchinson to win the WBC light-heavyweight title.

“Hutchinson is a man in form and looks like a man who is matured both physically and mentally.”

Olapido sees it close

DAZN presenter Ade Olapido says Hutchinson has closed the gap since the first fight. He slightly favours Buatsi but would not be surprised if Hutchinson walks home with gold.

“I wouldn't be surprised if Willy Hutchinson walks home with gold.”