Buatsi and Hutchinson Make Weight for WBC Rematch in Manchester

Buatsi and Hutchinson Make Weight for WBC Rematch

Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson both made weight for their light-heavyweight rematch on November 7 at Manchester’s AO Arena. Buatsi weighed 174.9 pounds and Hutchinson 174.5, under the 175-pound limit. The bout is for the WBC title, after it was upgraded from an interim-title fight when David Benavidez gave up the belt, according to the BBC.

Hutchinson’s supporters booed Buatsi at the ceremonial weigh-in, and Buatsi cupped his ears to encourage them. The BBC reported that Buatsi was initially an ounce over at the official weigh-in but made championship weight on a second attempt. Buatsi won their first meeting by split decision in September 2024 after knocking Hutchinson down twice.

Billam-Smith and Clarke Headline Zuffa Boxing 12

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith faces Chev Clarke in a 10-round main event at London’s Copper Box Arena on November 7. The two British fighters have a history dating to the amateur ranks, where Clarke beat Billam-Smith twice, including in the 2016 English national championships final.

Both are coming off victories over Ryan Rozicki and Jack Massey, respectively, on the same June card. Denzel Bentley meets Shane Mosley Jr. in the co-feature. The event’s main card is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET, with the main-event ring walks expected around 5 p.m. ET; the card streams on Paramount+ in the United States and Canada and airs on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Caroline Dubois and Stephanie Han Set Three-Belt Unification

Undefeated lightweight champions Caroline Dubois and Stephanie Han will meet on February 20, 2027, at GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas, to unify the WBC, WBO and WBA titles. The fight will headline MVPW-09 and air on Sky Sports in UK prime time and on the ESPN App in the United States, according to Most Valuable Promotions.

Dubois, the unified WBC and WBO champion, will challenge Han in her hometown. Han, the WBA titleholder, has made three successful defenses, including two wins over Holly Holm.

Wilder and Opetaia Set for Heavyweight Bout on Fury-Joshua Card

Deontay Wilder and Jai Opetaia are set to meet on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s December 11 fight with Anthony Joshua, according to Boxing News and BoxingScene. Opetaia, a two-time cruiserweight champion, is moving up to heavyweight for the matchup.

Former champion George Groves predicted Opetaia would stop Wilder, citing the Australian’s talent and suggesting his best performances may still be ahead. Fury criticized Wilder’s decision to continue boxing, calling him “shot to bits” in comments reported by BoxingScene.

Tszyu Eyes Charlo Fight After Lara Title Challenge

Tim Tszyu said he wants a 2027 fight with Jermell Charlo if he beats Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight title on December 12. Tszyu called the Charlo bout a “bucket list” fight but said his priority is the title challenge.

Boxing 247 reports that sustained pressure will be key for Tszyu while he takes care to avoid Lara’s counterpunches. Lara, the reigning champion, is described as less mobile than in his prime but still dangerous with his lead hand and straight left.

Aliev and Camkıran Make Weight for WBC Silver Title Fight

Mourad Aliev and Umut Camkıran weighed in for their 12-round WBC Silver heavyweight title bout on November 7 at Ülker Sports Arena in Istanbul. Aliev weighed 262.3 pounds and Camkıran 255.7.

Aliev enters with a 15-1 record and 11 knockouts, while unbeaten Camkıran is 25-0 with 23 knockouts. The Turkish boxer will fight before his home crowd.

Dakar Youth Olympics Boxing Begins November 7

The boxing competition at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games runs November 7-12 in Diamniadio, Senegal, with 114 boxers from 73 nations set to compete across five men’s and five women’s weight categories. Bouts will be held at the Dakar Expo Center.

The schedule includes quarter-finals from November 9, semi-finals on the penultimate day and 10 gold-medal bouts on November 12. World Boxing says fans can watch the bouts through its website, with results, draws, schedules and standings available through Xempower.