A rematch and a world title fight with some bad blood is just about the perfect combination in today’s boxing business.
More than two years ago, Willy Hutchinson lost a split decision in his first fight with Joshua Buatsi, and he was called for compensation when he left the ring that night in front of 90,000 people around Wembley Stadium.
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Buatsi won and lost in two fights that night; Hutchinson has won twice and, in a business where retirement is often a good career choice, they earned an upgrade to the full WBC light heavyweight world title two weeks ago.
Joshua Buatsi attached to Willy Hutchinson’s journey to win points in 2014 (Getty)
This isn’t the 50’s and people no longer have to fight every month to put food on the table, sit around and wait for some funny magic wand to wave and give them a fighting title. A quick look at the top lightweights provides a solid series of facts and figures to end any arguments about whether Hutchinson, who fought Buatsi last March, deserves a title fight.
A short selection of the top 10 or so lightweights shows the year’s easy, strategic battles and inertia. Some warriors of the order of the division did not take the risk this year; many people killed were hardly in the top 100 of the world. Hutchinson delivered the strongest boxing record to beat Ezra Taylor previously unbeaten, and Buatsi beat Zach Parker on points last November. The solid wins both; Hutchinson Buatsi is a very good fight for us.
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Buatsi waited patiently for a big fight, which is the modern way, and Hutchinson’s decision to fight was highly approved, but the inexperienced Taylor was a bold move.
Both of their names have been linked to other fights and fighters in the last year. The inevitable showdown between Buatsi and Anthony Yarde has been talked about for six or more years.
Hutchinson is five years younger but has fought Buatsi for one season. Their records are remarkably similar: Hutchinson won 20 of 22 battles and stopped 14 of the enemy; Buatsi won 20 of 21 fights and stopped 13 opponents. The couple turned professional at about the same time in 2017 – Hutchinson after the Youth Championship gold and Buatsi after the bronze medal at the Rio Olympics.
Buatsi and Hutchinson pictured in September (PA)
He agreed that laziness could be a factor in Hutchinson’s favor. His vine in March is still fresh. However, when their fight took place in September 2024, both of them had fought a total of two times.
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The winner leaves the ring at the Manchester Arena on Saturday with the WBC belt, which – at a time of crisis over the world’s championship belts – is still considered the best and most prestigious. But the belt is only part of the prize, because there will be a disorderly queue at the bottom of the ring for future opponents to collide for their chance.
Yarde’s name will be mentioned, you will have a mention of one or two of the American defenders, there may be a repar if Hutchinson wins, and a twist or two is also likely.
It would be a shock if the winner had an easy night on Saturday, and another long and difficult round of 12 battles could be expected. Hutchinson certainly has relevance and desire, but Buatsi is more recent.