Croydon’s Joshua Buatsi is crowned new WBO interim world heavyweight champion

Joshua Buatsi is the new WBO interim world light-heavyweight champion after a split decision points win over Willy Hutchinson at Wembley Stadium this evening.

The Croydon fighter moved to 19-0 and he is the mandatory challenger for the winner of the unification clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Buatsi looked shocked when it was announced that it was not a unanimous verdict – and it is easy to see why. Hutchinson was down from body shots in two of the rounds and also deducted a point for illegal use of the head.

Buatsi won by scores of 117-108 and 115-110 with Hutchinson somehow edging it 113-112 on the other judge’s scoring.

It was a gruelling bout with both punchers appearing to be wobbled at stages but Buatsi usually had the edge in any exchanges and was front foot for so much of the contest.

Hutchinson was cut above both eyes – one from a punch and the other a clash of heads – and showed toughness to still be trading in the final round.

Here are a selection of pictures from Chris Dean/BOXXER.