Joshua Buatsi Happy His Willy Hutchinson Risk Paid Off To Set Up World Title Shot
Joshua Buatsi says his decision to take a risky fight against Willy Hutchinson paid off as he set himself up for his long-awaited shot at a light-heavyweight world title.
Buatsi (19-0-0 13 KO) was given a tough test by Hutchinson (18-2-0 13 KO) at Wembley Stadium in London last Saturday, but eventually pulled clear in the second half of the fight, sending his Scottish opponent to the canvas twice on his way to a split-decision victory.
One of the judges somehow scored the bout 113-112 to Hutchinson, who was also deducted a point for using his head, although the other two judges gave the fight to Buatsi 115-110 and 118-107 to ensure the correct fighter won.
In addition to extending his unbeaten record, Buatsi also claimed the WBO’s interim title, which puts him in prime position for a shot at a world title. The WBO’s 175-pound belt is currently held by Artur Beterbiev, who also holds the WBC and IBF titles and will face WBA champion Dimitrii Bivol in an undisputed fight on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Russian champions are expected to engage in a rematch in 2025, but when his time comes, Buatsi insists he is ready for his opportunity.
“If not, I wouldn’t have taken this fight,” he said. “It was for the interim, the winner gets the shot, I got the win so it’s very self-explanatory.”
The build-up to Buatsi’s bout with Hutchinson was filled with tension between the two fighters as the two opposing characters constantly clashed. Buatsi is known to be quiet and unassuming, while Hutchinson is more brash and outspoken, leading the fighters to almost come to blows during a media event.
However, as is often the case, the animosity was left in the past after they shared a ring, and Buatsi thanked Hutchinson for playing his part, both in the fight and for promoting their bout.
“Willy was tricky. I have to give him credit,” Buatsi added. “This fight wouldn’t have got the attention it got if not because of him. I said that to him in the ring. I said, ‘Tough fight.’ When we were doing the medicals together, I said, ‘Willy, respect to you, man.’ I met his dad and grandad, lovely men. I thanked them.
“He’s a hell of a tough guy. I said to him, ‘Willy, I wasn’t that good when I was 26, 25, so props to you’. He’s a very tough man. I’ll give him credit. He got up every time. When I was hitting him, I knew I was hurting him. He got up every time and came back stronger.”
Buatsi also paid tribute to his team and to Riyadh Season, with his fight against Hutchinson part of an epic night of boxing headlined by Daniel Dubois’ stunning knockout of Anthony Joshua.
“My team, I want to shine the light on them,” said Buatsi. “They were fantastic with me, I felt the last two weeks I was a bit weird towards them, so the support system that I’ve got, my family and my friends, I’m forever grateful.
“It’s been a helluva a week. We can’t say it’s been a normal fight week, because it hasn’t. I’ve never been to Central London this many times in one week. We kept on doing it. [It was] a bit annoying, but credit to Riyadh Season, it’s been a massive build up, I got the win, I’m forever grateful.”
