Buatsi vs. Hutchinson 2 Fight Week: Vacant WBC Title on the Line Nov. 7 in Manchester

Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson run it back on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the AO Arena in Manchester, and this time the full WBC light heavyweight title is on the line. Queensberry has now opened fight week to the media.

The stakes

The rematch was first set for the WBC interim title. It became a fight for the vacant full title after David Benavidez gave up the belt to stay at cruiserweight, the WBC and Queensberry announced, as reported by both DAZN and BoxingScene. Benavidez is chasing three cruiserweight belts against Cieslak on Dec. 5, as we reported.

Buatsi (20-1, 13 KOs) won the first fight by split decision at Wembley Stadium in September 2024. He dropped Hutchinson in the sixth and ninth rounds and won 117-108 and 115-110 on two cards, while the third judge had it 113-112 for Hutchinson. Hutchinson (20-2, 14 KOs) has wanted the rematch ever since. He has beaten Mark Jeffers and, in March, the previously unbeaten Ezra Taylor in Manchester. Buatsi lost his WBO interim belt to Callum Smith and then beat Zach Parker last November.

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The card, billed "Point 2 Prove," airs live on DAZN.

Fight-week schedule

Queensberry's media invitation lists two public events in Manchester, both local UK time:

• Thursday (Nov. 5): press conference at New Century Hall, 34 Hanover St. Doors 12:30 p.m., start 1 p.m.
• Friday (Nov. 6): weigh-in at The Meza, Freight Island, 11 Baring St. Doors 4:30 p.m., start 5 p.m.

Points Bet

Points Bet has a live winner market on the main event, and the market thinks it's close to a coin flip: Buatsi -108, Hutchinson +108. Undercard markets are open too, including Bradley Rea vs. Ezra Taylor and Zak Miller vs. Gully Powar. Points Bet uses free Boxbid points only, with no real money in and nothing out, so it's strictly for entertainment. Here's how it works.