Joshua Buatsi finally gets his big chance at a world title as he squares off against Scotsman Willy Hutchinson for the WBO interim light-heavyweight title.
Joshua Buatsi comes into this intriguing domestic clash riding an 18-fight unbeaten streak, while Hutchinson has tasted defeat only once. This true crossroads matchup could propel the winner into a mouth-watering showdown with division standouts Artur Beterbiev, Dimitry Bivol, or even a British grudge match with two-time world title challenger Anthony Yarde.
Joshua Buatsi vs Willie Hutchinson: Fight Details
The fight is scheduled for 21st September 2024 at Wembley Stadium, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua versus Daniel Dubois.
UK and US fight fans can view the action on DAZN pay-per-view via the app and platform.
The ringwalk is scheduled for around 8.30 pm UK time.
Joshua Buatsi vs Willie Hutchinson: Careers To Date
Much was expected of Buatsi after turning pro after he won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics. So far, it’s been a stop-start career with underwhelming opposition and a reluctance to face the big names at light-heavyweight. A recent career-best win over Dan Azeez for the British and Commonwealth titles hinted at world-class potential. However, after seven years as professionals, we still don’t know the true ceiling of Buatsi’s talent.
Hutchinson enjoyed a stellar amateur career like his opponent, winning gold at the 2016 World Youth Championships. After his professional debut in 2017, a series of routine wins followed. Then, in May 2021, he challenged Lennox Clarke for the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight belts, ultimately losing by a shocking fifth-round stoppage. He has since rebounded at a higher weight as a light-heavyweight, besting former Buatsi opponent Craig Richards to annex the WBC Silver title in June of this year.
Both fighters will be eager to impress in front of a massive Wembley audience. So how do these two 175lb fighters match up?
Fighter Comparison
Here’s the tale of the tape in this England versus Scotland showdown. Interestingly, both men sport similar physical dimensions and career records.
Buatsi enjoys a slight height advantage and a narrow edge in professional experience.
| Joshua Buatsi | Willy Hutchinson | |
| Alias | Just Business | The Hutch Train |
| Age | 31 | 26 |
| Height | 6’2” / 188 cm | 6’1” / 185 cm |
| Reach | 74.5” / 189 cm | Not known |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Career Record | 18-0-0 (13 KOs) Win-Loss-Draw | 18-1-0 (13 KOs) Win-Loss-Draw |
| Pro Rounds Fought | 99 | 74 |
| Last 5 Fights | 03 Feb 2024 Win on points vs Dan Azeez 07 May 2023 Win on points vs Pawel Stepian 21 May 2022 Win on points vs Craig Richards 14 August 2021 Win by TKO vs Ricards Bolotniks 15 May 2021 Win by TKO vs Daniel Dos Santos | 01 June 2024 Win on points vs Craig Richards 22 March 2024 Win by TKO vs Martin Houben 12 May 2023 Win by KO vs Ezequiel Maderna 11 November 2022 Win by TKO vs Luca Spadaccini 11 June 2022 Win by RTD vs Karel Horejsek |
Fight Prediction
This fight is hard to predict because both fighters are slick and evenly matched. They both have a win against a familiar opponent, Craig Richards, each winning comfortably after 12 rounds.
The sensible prediction is to pick Buatsi to win on a unanimous point decision. While the 31-year-old isn’t a huge puncher for the weight, he wears down opponents with accumulative punches. Hutchinson, on the other hand, showed some weakness in a 2021 stoppage loss to Lennox Clarke.
Overall, we expect Buatsi’s experience against tougher opposition and his fast combinations to give him a slight edge. We expect him to box within himself and secure a win over the full
championship distance.