The Magnificent Seven co-main event pits two hungry light heavyweights against each other in a fight that will reshape the domestic 175-pound landscape for 2026 and beyond. Willy Hutchinson, the Scottish WBC #6 who came within a split decision of winning the WBO interim world title at Wembley in September 2024, is a man rebuilding his title shot credentials. Ezra Taylor, the WBA #8-ranked unbeaten English prospect, is ready to graduate from “promising” to “dangerous” in front of a national DAZN audience.
Both need this. One gets it.
| Date | Saturday, March 28, 2026 |
| Venue | Co-op Live Arena, Manchester |
| Promotion | Queensberry Promotions |
| Division | Light Heavyweight (175 lb) |
| Rounds | 10 |
| Broadcaster | DAZN (UK & Global) |
| Estimated Ringwalk | ~9:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM EST |
Willy Hutchinson (19-2, 14 KOs) from Carstairs is no stranger to big stages. The Scot arrived in professional boxing as one of the most decorated amateurs the country had produced — European Junior gold in 2014, then World Youth Championship gold in 2016 as the first Scottish boxer to win an amateur world title. The nickname “The Hutch-Train” fits a man who built his professional career around relentless pressure and a thunderous 74% KO rate.
The ceiling of his career so far is a September 2024 split decision defeat to Joshua Buatsi at Wembley — a fight for the interim WBO light heavyweight title in which Hutchinson was dropped twice. That result stings, but the response has been measured: a 7th-round TKO of Mark Jeffers in October 2025 showed the chin is still strong and the hands still heavy. Now, working with Shane McGuigan (trainer to Adam Azim, Caroline Dubois, and Chris Billam-Smith), Hutchinson looks ready to force himself back into world title conversations.
Ezra Taylor (13-0, 9 KOs) is the 31-year-old “Cannon” from England whose 6’2” frame and heavy hands have made short work of every opponent placed in front of him since turning professional in 2020. Ranked WBA #8 and IBF #14, his most recent outing — a 9th-round corner stoppage of Steed Woodall in October 2025 — underlined his finishing ability and willingness to take his time before pulling the trigger.
Taylor brings a genuine physical advantage to this fight. An inch taller than Hutchinson, he has developed his size into a weapon and punches at 69% KO rate — nearly matching Hutchinson’s career rate. What he has not yet done is face a fighter who has operated at world title level. Saturday is his graduation exam.
| Willy Hutchinson | Ezra Taylor | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 19-2 | 13-0 |
| KOs | 14 (74%) | 9 (69%) |
| Age | 27 | 31 |
| Height | 6’1” / 185 cm | 6’2” / 188 cm |
| Reach | 72.8” / 185 cm | — |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
The records diverge significantly — Hutchinson has faced and beaten world-ranked opposition; Taylor has not. The physical measurements are near-identical aside from Taylor’s inch height advantage.
Willy Hutchinson — Last 5 Fights
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | Mark Jeffers | W | TKO | 7 |
| Sep 2024 | Joshua Buatsi | L | SD | 12 |
| Jun 2024 | Craig Richards | W | UD | 12 |
| Mar 2024 | Martin Houben | W | TKO | 2 |
| May 2023 | Ezequiel Maderna | W | TKO | 4 |
Ezra Taylor — Last 4 Fights
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | Steed Woodall | W | TKO | 9 |
| Jul 2024 | Carlos Lamela | W | UD | 10 |
| Mar 2024 | Prince Oko Nartey | W | TKO | 4 |
| Sep 2023 | Joel McIntyre | W | TKO | 8 |
Hutchinson has the harder road: two losses, both to world-level opposition, both at 12 rounds. Taylor’s unbeaten record is polished but untested at this height.
Two orthodox fighters means no southpaw-stance variable to worry about — this is a clean test of fundamental boxing ability. Hutchinson is the more refined craftsman: his win over Craig Richards (a former world title challenger) in June 2024 showed range management and sustained pressure across 12 rounds, and going 12 with Buatsi at Wembley demonstrates championship-level conditioning.
Taylor’s counter-argument is his 1-inch height advantage and the 9 KOs that suggest real power when he lands clean. His strategy will likely be to establish his jab, keep Hutchinson at range, and look for the big shot when Hutchinson commits. The Woodall stoppage in round 9 — after carrying him for eight rounds — shows Taylor has patience and timing.
The critical data gap: Taylor has never faced a fighter of Hutchinson’s quality. The Buatsi fight may have hurt Hutchinson mentally as well as physically. Saturday tells us which storyline has more truth.
Willy Hutchinson
Ezra Taylor
| UK Odds | US Moneyline | |
|---|---|---|
| Hutchinson | 4/7 | -190 |
| Taylor | 13/8 | +150 |
| Draw | 16/1 | +1300 |
The pricing reflects genuine competitiveness, and it’s warranted. Taylor’s unbeaten record and physical attributes make him live for an upset. But Hutchinson’s world-level experience — 12 rounds with Buatsi, Shane McGuigan’s corner, 93 career rounds — should prove decisive in the championship rounds. Prediction: Hutchinson W UD 10.
| Country | Broadcaster | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | DAZN | 5:00 PM GMT (Main Card) |
| USA | DAZN | 12:00 PM EST |
Estimated ringwalk: ~9:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM EST.
Don’t miss a single fight on a stacked March 28 night:
When is Hutchinson vs Taylor? Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Co-op Live Arena, Manchester. Estimated ringwalk ~9:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM EST.
How to watch Hutchinson vs Taylor? Live on DAZN in the UK and globally. Main card starts at 5:00 PM GMT.
What are the odds for Hutchinson vs Taylor? Hutchinson is the slight favourite at 4/7 (-190). Taylor is 13/8 (+150) — genuinely competitive pricing reflecting his unbeaten record.
What are Willy Hutchinson’s credentials? 19-2 (14 KOs, 74% KO rate), former WBC Silver champion, ranked WBC #6 at light heavyweight. Lost the WBO interim world title fight to Joshua Buatsi on a split decision at Wembley in September 2024.
Has Ezra Taylor fought at this level before? Not quite — his 13-0 record is built against regional and domestic-level opposition. Hutchinson is his first fight against a world-ranked, world title-tested competitor.
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