Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson are set for a highly anticipated rematch on November 7, 2026, at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. This fight will headline a DAZN card and will be for the vacant WBC light heavyweight title. Their initial encounter in September 2024 at Wembley Stadium ended with Buatsi winning by a split decision after knocking Hutchinson down twice. Entering this rematch, Buatsi holds a 20-1 record, while Hutchinson stands at 20-2, having secured two victories since their first bout.

The first fight was close despite scorecards favoring Buatsi, largely due to those knockdowns. Buatsi and Hutchinson initially fought for the interim WBO title, but this rematch has been elevated to the full WBC title after David Benavidez vacated the belt in preparation for a cruiserweight unification fight. This change raises the stakes considerably for both fighters, especially given the in-ring history and competition level between them.

Since their last fight, Buatsi has endured some tough battles, including a loss to Callum Smith and other challenging bouts that may have taken a toll on his performance and physical condition. His lengthy and grueling recent matchups suggest some level of wear and tear, which could give Hutchinson an edge, particularly considering Hutchinson is five years younger at 28 compared to Buatsi’s 33. This age difference might also translate into better stamina and recovery for Hutchinson in their rematch.

Hutchinson’s improvement, marked by wins over Mark Jeffers and Ezra Taylor after their first fight, coupled with Buatsi’s possible regression, makes this bout intriguingly competitive. While Buatsi is known for his toughness, Hutchinson’s relative freshness and technical skills could enable him to outbox Buatsi over the distance. Prediction favors Hutchinson winning by decision, potentially setting the stage for a trilogy between the two fighters.