Joshua Buatsi deliberately invited the hostility of Willy Hutchinson’s supporters during Friday’s weigh-in, setting the tone for a highly charged WBC light-heavyweight title fight in Manchester. The Buatsi Hutchinson rematch tops the bill at the AO Arena on Saturday, just over two years after their first meeting produced a split-decision victory for the Londoner.
Around 100 members of the public attended the ceremonial weigh-in at Freight Island, and the reception left little doubt about which fighter the local crowd favours. Hutchinson, 28, was first on the scales and received a loud ovation from his followers. Buatsi, by contrast, was met with jeers, responding by cupping his hands to his ears to amplify the noise before offering a brief message to the crowd.
The 33-year-old Buatsi, an Olympic bronze medallist in 2016, enters the bout with a professional record of 20 wins and one defeat. Hutchinson, who became the first Scottish boxer to win amateur World Championships gold, has 20 wins and two losses. Both men know each other well from their previous encounter, which Buatsi edged in a thrilling contest.
Scale Drama Adds Tension
Buatsi’s morning had already been complicated when he initially weighed an ounce over the light-heavyweight limit during the official weigh-in. He returned for a second attempt, removed his clothes, and successfully made the championship weight of 12st 7lb (79kg). Hutchinson then made a derogatory reference to Buatsi’s earlier overweight reading when the pair came face to face later in the evening.
The two fighters went nose to nose, with Hutchinson repeatedly shouting “and the new” as the tension simmered. He has consistently stated his belief that he is the superior boxer and told the excitable crowd he would demonstrate what Buatsi is made of on Saturday. Buatsi, for his part, remained composed and suggested Hutchinson was acting as though they had not already shared a ring.
Saturday’s contest was originally scheduled for the interim title but was elevated to full world championship status when American David Benavidez vacated the WBC gold to move up to cruiserweight. The upgrade adds further significance to a fight already billed as the biggest of Buatsi’s career.
Crowd Dynamics and Ringwalk Expectation
Thursday’s news conference was a media-only affair in a relaxed setting, sparing Buatsi from any jeers during the most important week of his professional life. Friday’s public weigh-in, however, offered a clearer preview of what he might expect when he makes his ringwalk on Saturday night.
The atmosphere in Manchester carried an edge, with Hutchinson’s boisterous following making their presence felt. Buatsi appeared to relish the challenge, engaging with the crowd rather than retreating from it. His reaction suggested a fighter comfortable in the role of away favourite, aware that the reception could shift once the first bell rings.
Hutchinson’s supporters will hope their man can avenge the split-decision defeat from their first meeting and claim the WBC belt in front of a partisan crowd. Buatsi will aim to silence the jeers and prove that the judges’ verdict two years ago was no accident.
With both fighters holding 20 professional victories and a shared history of amateur success, the rematch promises to deliver another competitive encounter. The weigh-in drama, the crowd hostility, and the upgraded title stakes have combined to create a compelling backdrop for Saturday’s main event at the AO Arena.
