Buatsi and Hutchinson Prepare to Go to War for the Second Time

Scotland's Willy Hutchinson gets a chance to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming a world champion when he takes on his old rival, Croydon's Joshua Buatsi this Saturday in Manchester's AO Arena. At stake is the WBC light heavyweight title that was vacated by David Benavidez, who now campaigns in the Cruiserweight division.

Buatsi and Hutchinson previously met in 2024, with Buatsi emerging as the winner by split decision. Hutchinson regrouped well since that sole blot on his record, scoring wins over Mark Jefers and Ezra Taylor.

Buatsi meanwhile, slid to his first ever defeat since, in a fiercely-contested 12-rounder against Liverpool's Callum Smith. 

Many observers believe that Buatsi was brought along too slowly and at 33, has passed his prime and gone stale. Joshua is acutely aware of these murmurings about him and is determined to prove them wrong.

The 28 year-old Hutchinson is perceived as the fresher of the two and has been installed as a narrow favourite to get his revenge on Buatsi and lift the world title.

A former Olympic bronze medalist, Buatsi was considered to be one of Britain's brightest hopes. He appeared to be the full package. Long and rangy, he has a great jab but can also get in close and dig sapping hooks to the body. He sets a fast pace and carries decent but not crunching power. He tends to break his opponents down rather than take them out with a single bomb. 

But in recent fights, his old energy and spark weren't quite there.

Buatsi's profile was helped no end by his friendship with the larger and more famous Joshua - AJ himself. AJ would make sure Buatsi received exposure on his undercards, resulting in his face and his boxing prowess becoming well known.

Hutchinson lacked such a famous buddy, and rose through the ranks more quietly, despite being a top prospect himself.

There was bad blood between the pair before their first meeting, but this time around things have been more amicable. Boxers who share the ring for twelve hard rounds often acquire respect for one another, but Hutchinson candidly puts the change in tone down to him being more mature now.

In the first fight, Willy was cut, hurt and floored. A stoppage win for Buatsi looked inevitable. But the Scot grittily clawed his way back into the match and ended the fight strongly, to force the close decision.

Another close one looks likely on Saturday. Sitting at ringside will be the flamboyant Ben Whittaker, who attracts a similar crowd reaction to a pantomime villain these days. It's a role that will pay him handsomely. Ben will gladly take on the winner.