The vacant WBC 175-pound title will be on the line when Buatsi and Hutchinson fight at Manchester’s AO Arena, broadcast on DAZN worldwide.

Buatsi (20-1, 13 KOs) is ranked at No. 5 by The Ring, while Hutchinson (20-2, 14 KOs) sits two places lower at No. 7.

The pair first met in September 2024 on the undercard preceding Daniel Dubois' IBF heavyweight title win over Anthony Joshua. Buatsi won a 12-round split decision but in reality, dealt with Hutchinson's energetic style well and scored two knockdowns.

Buatsi departed Wembley Stadium with the WBO interim title but with full champion Artur Beterbiev occupied in his Dmitry Bivol rivalry, the 33-year-old instead fought Callum Smith in February 2025.

The British pair produced one of the year's best fights but Buatsi suffered a unanimous decision defeat, losing his title. In November 2025, he returned to the winners column with a close split decision over Zach Parker.

Hutchinson believes that Buatsi has taken a step back since they boxed and branded his showing against Parker as "terrible". Whether his performance was due to the toll his 12-round war with Smith took, or purely down to his belief he was always ahead in a dull fight remains to be seen.

Until meeting Smith, Buatsi had been able to control almost every one of his professional opponents. He may not have beaten Smith but did prove if he needs to shake Hutchinson out of his rhythm, he's willing to leave his comfort zone to do just that.

Hutchinson has also boxed twice since their first meeting. He took apart Mark Jeffers in seven rounds on his October 2025 return, before outclassing Ezra Taylor on March 28 in a heavily hyped but one-sided 10-round fight.

Neither Jeffers or Taylor are in Buatsi’s class but both represent ambitious fighters who entered the ring intent on winning. Neither came remotely close to upsetting the mercurial, unpredictable Scotsman.

Hutchinson now must show he can replicate the same at world level. He insists he's happier, more experienced and far better prepared for the challenge of beating Buatsi this time around. If he's to even the score and become a world champion, he will need to show more versatility than he did first time.

The Ring’s Mike Coppinger has made his prediction. Think you can beat him? Predict winners for prizes.

Joshua Buatsi: “The first one, I think it was a good fight for the fans. We've got different styles and the way it played out, how he was before that fight and what actually happened in the fight. It's just certain soundbites that the media want and he gives it to them. I don't knock how he carries himself, that's how he does it and how I carry myself is how I carry myself. So, I think it's just different styles, but whatever works for the individual.”

Willy Hutchinson: “I just wouldn't really care how he thinks. I don't know what he's thinking or doing. He's 33 years old, looked terrible his last couple of fights. Does he feel like he's got much to prove? He's been paid well. Does he really want it anymore? I'm not too sure.”

Bet365 have the fight as a pick-em and price both fighters at 5-6 (-120). Buatsi is available at 11-5 (+220) to repeat his decision victory from September 2024. Hutchinson is a 21-10 (+210) shot to avenge defeat over the distance.

Jack Rafferty (27-0-1, 18 KOs) will look to build on the momentum he generated by beating the respected Ekow Essuman in May when he fights Belgium’s Hovhannes Matirosyan (20-1, 12 KOs) over 12 rounds at welterweight.

The former British and Commonwealth 140-pound champion looked outstanding in his first fight at 147-pounds and stopped Essuman after six one-sided rounds but the underrated Matirosyan could provide him with a tougher test.

AO Arena, Manchester.

Buatsi vs. Hutchinson will be streamed live on DAZN.

Prelim coverage gets underway at 4:00 p.m. BST and 11:00 a.m. ET on the DAZN YouTube channel, while the main card coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. BST & 2:00 P.M ET on DAZN.