# Joshua Buatsi Booed at Weigh-in Before WBC Title Fight Buatsi faces Willy Hutchinson in a high-stakes light-heavyweight title rematch in Manchester. - **Source:** [BBC Sport – Boxing](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/986c48c9-79bd-460e-99b0-f1692f135ccf ## Tense Weigh-in Atmosphere Joshua Buatsi faced a hostile reception from Willy Hutchinson’s supporters during the ceremonial weigh-in at Manchester’s Freight Island. As the crowd jeered, Buatsi responded by cupping his ears to encourage the vocal reaction. This public interaction highlights the rising tension between the two fighters ahead of their highly anticipated rematch this Saturday. ## Weight Limit Challenges During the official Friday morning weigh-in, Joshua Buatsi initially exceeded the light-heavyweight limit by one ounce, or 28 grams. He successfully made the championship weight of 12st 7lb, or 79kg, on his second attempt after removing his clothing. Hutchinson later used this incident to mock his opponent during their face-to-face encounter. ## Title Stakes Escalation The upcoming bout at Manchester’s AO Arena was originally scheduled for the interim title. However, the stakes were significantly upgraded after American boxer David Benavidez vacated the WBC gold to move up to the cruiserweight division. This change elevates the importance of the contest, making it a full championship fight for both. ## Professional Career Records Joshua Buatsi enters this fight with a professional record of 20 wins and one defeat, having earned an Olympic bronze medal in 2016. His opponent, Willy Hutchinson, holds a record of 20 wins and two defeats. Hutchinson notably became the first Scottish boxer to secure gold at an amateur World Championships event. ## History of Rivalry The two fighters previously met in a contest that resulted in a split-decision victory for the Londoner, Joshua Buatsi. That first encounter was described as a thrilling match, setting the stage for this current rematch. Over two years have passed since their initial bout, during which both athletes have continued their professional development. ## Media and Public Interaction While Thursday’s news conference was restricted to media only to maintain a controlled environment, Friday’s public weigh-in allowed approximately 100 fans to attend. This event provided Buatsi with a clear preview of the intense atmosphere he will likely face during his ringwalk on Saturday night, as Hutchinson’s supporters remain highly vocal. ## Hutchinson’s Competitive Stance Willy Hutchinson has openly expressed his belief that he is the superior boxer in this matchup. During the weigh-in, he shouted at Buatsi while they stood nose to nose, promising the crowd that he would expose his opponent’s weaknesses. His aggressive demeanor underscores the personal nature of this upcoming championship title fight. ## Context of the Match This fight represents the biggest opportunity in Joshua Buatsi’s professional career to date. As the boxers prepare to enter the ring at the AO Arena, the combination of the upgraded title status and the vocal crowd support for Hutchinson creates a high-pressure environment that will test both athletes' mental and physical readiness. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/c6lylr5lnggvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._