Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson renew their rivalry in a rematch for the WBC light-heavyweight title in Manchester.
Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson meet for a second time on Saturday, 7 November, with the vacant WBC light-heavyweight championship on the line at Manchester's AO Arena.
Their first encounter at Wembley Stadium in September 2024 delivered 12 rounds of drama, with Buatsi eventually earning a split-decision victory. However, Hutchinson will believe he has unfinished business after pushing his opponent hard and coming away without the win.
Both men have plenty at stake. Buatsi is looking to re-establish himself among the division's leading contenders, while Hutchinson has the opportunity to claim a major world title and avenge the only defeat of his recent run.
Here is everything you need to know about Buatsi vs Hutchinson 2, including the fight odds, undercard and our prediction.
When is Buatsi vs Hutchinson 2?
Buatsi vs Hutchinson 2 takes place on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The fight is promoted by Queensberry and will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK.
- Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
- Venue: AO Arena, Manchester
- Main event: Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson
- Weight class: Light-heavyweight
- Title: Vacant WBC light-heavyweight championship
- UK broadcaster: DAZN
- Expected ring walks: Approximately 10pm GMT
The main-event ring-walk time is provisional and could change depending on how long the undercard takes.
Who Is the Betting Favourite in Buatsi vs Hutchinson 2?
Willy Hutchinson is the narrow favourite to beat Joshua Buatsi, priced at 20/23 with DAZN Bet. Buatsi is available at 20/21, while the draw is 16/1, highlighting how closely matched the pair are ahead of Saturday’s rematch at Manchester’s AO Arena.
What happened in the first Buatsi vs Hutchinson fight?
The first fight took place at Wembley Stadium on 21 September 2024, with the vacant WBO interim light-heavyweight title on the line.
Buatsi eventually won by split decision after 12 competitive rounds. Two judges scored the contest in his favour, while the third had Hutchinson winning.
The result did not tell the whole story. Buatsi scored two knockdowns during the fight, which proved crucial in securing the judges' verdict. Hutchinson nevertheless produced some impressive boxing and made the contest much closer than the final result might suggest.
That performance will give the Scottish fighter confidence heading into the rematch. He knows he can compete with Buatsi, but he will need to avoid the mistakes that allowed his opponent to score those knockdowns.
For Buatsi, the challenge is to reproduce the moments of effectiveness that won him the first fight while dealing with a more experienced and confident Hutchinson.
Buatsi vs Hutchinson 2 undercard
The Manchester card features several other notable British boxing names, including Jack Rafferty, Brad Rea and Zak Miller.
The currently listed undercard includes:
| Fight | Weight class / Stakes |
|---|---|
| Jack Rafferty vs Hovhannes Martirosyan | Welterweight, vacant IBO title |
| Zak Miller vs Gully Powar | Featherweight, vacant British title |
| Brad Rea vs Ezra Taylor | Light-heavyweight |
| Stephen Clarke vs Harley Collison | Middleweight |
| John Joe Carrigan vs Cheikh Diop | Super-welterweight |
Buatsi vs Hutchinson 2 prediction
This is a difficult rematch to call, particularly given how competitive their first meeting was.
Buatsi has the psychological advantage of knowing he has already beaten Hutchinson, and the two knockdowns from their previous contest remain a significant factor. He has also faced higher-profile opposition, including Callum Smith, which should count in his favour.
However, Hutchinson has youth and activity on his side. His two victories since the first fight suggest he has moved forward, while Buatsi has not been particularly active over the same period.
The key question is whether Hutchinson can avoid the mistakes that cost him the first encounter. If he can keep his distance, use his movement and maintain a high work rate, he could make life extremely difficult for Buatsi.
Nevertheless, Buatsi's power and experience in big fights give him a slight edge in our assessment.
Prediction: Joshua Buatsi to win by decision.
