Buatsi-Hutchinson rematch set for vacant WBC title after Benavidez vacates

Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson will contest the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title in their rematch at Manchester’s AO Arena on November 7, Queensberry Promotions has announced.

The all-British contest, which will be broadcast by DAZN, was initially scheduled for the WBC interim belt. It has been upgraded after David Benavidez relinquished the full title to continue his career at cruiserweight.

“CONFIRMED: Buatsi vs Hutchinson is for the WBC Light Heavyweight World Title,” Queensberry posted on X. “Brit vs Brit. World title on the line. Manchester, November 7.”

Buatsi and Hutchinson first met on the September 2024 undercard of Daniel Dubois-Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium. Buatsi dropped Hutchinson in the sixth and ninth rounds and won a split decision, with Hutchinson also deducted a point in the seventh for use of the head.

That victory earned Buatsi the vacant WBO interim title. The 33-year-old enters the rematch with a record of 20-1, including 13 stoppages, while Hutchinson, 28, is 20-2 with 14 wins inside the distance.

Benavidez commits to cruiserweight

Benavidez gave up the WBC light-heavyweight championship and the WBA’s secondary title at 175lbs after also winning the WBO and WBA belts at cruiserweight. He is due to face WBC champion Michal Cieslak in a three-belt unification fight in the Phoenix area on December 5.

“The World Boxing Council hereby confirms the WBC cruiserweight world championship fight between champion Michal Cieslak and challenger David Benavidez,” the sanctioning body said. “David Benavidez has notified the WBC that he will continue his career in the cruiserweight division. However, he reserves the right to challenge for the WBC light heavyweight championship.”

Cieslak was elevated from interim to full champion after Noel Mikaelian was stripped for ignoring an order to face Benavidez and instead challenging lineal cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. Mikaelian was stopped in the ninth round on September 12, opening the way for Cieslak’s elevation and a unification fight with Benavidez.

Queensberry promoter Frank Warren welcomed the revised stakes for Buatsi-Hutchinson as part of his company’s world-title schedule for the closing months of 2026.

“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,” Warren wrote on X. “Massive end to 2026 incoming.”

The winner of the November 7 rematch is set to succeed Benavidez as WBC light-heavyweight champion, although Benavidez has retained the right to challenge for the belt in the unlikely event that he returns to 175lbs.