Joshua Buatsi, known in the boxing world as “Champion,” appeared on a video call from his South London kitchen, recovering after a workout. Clad in a black tracksuit and cap, his rugged pre-fight beard gives him a fuller look compared to the leaner figure he will show in the ring a week later, heading into the 22nd bout of his professional career.
He smiled wryly when explaining his Zoom username to Uncrowned, though the title “Champion” hardly needs explanation. However, Buatsi admits that becoming a boxer wasn’t always part of his plan. Originally from Ghana and moving to England as a child, boxing wasn’t something he envisioned growing up.
Somehow, the sport eventually found him. Now 33, ten years after securing an Olympic bronze medal at Rio 2016, Buatsi is poised to become a world champion—a moment he’s patiently awaited for much of his career and one that holds deep significance.
This Saturday in Manchester, Buatsi will face Willy Hutchinson once again, with higher stakes this time around. The vacant WBC light heavyweight title will be contested at the Manchester Arena, giving both fighters the chance to claim a share of the top spot in the highly competitive 175-pound division.
Buatsi candidly shares that boxing never crossed his mind as a child in England. “I was 9 when I came here, and it wasn’t even on my radar,” he explained. It’s an intriguing admission from someone who’s made a career out of hitting opponents hard, but Buatsi has always charted his own course, without comparing himself to others. He cites Filip Hrgović, a fellow Olympian and now IBF heavyweight champion, as an example of how success in boxing can take time, sometimes a decade or more.
His journey has been anything but simple. Injuries, the COVID-19 pandemic, and long waiting periods without a title shot challenged him. Even after climbing the rankings, Buatsi faced his first professional loss against Callum Smith in Riyadh when vying for the interim WBA belt.
Now, after 21 fights and 20 wins, Buatsi has another shot at glory. The rematch with Hutchinson, initially planned as an interim WBC title fight, has been upgraded to a full world championship bout. While it’s not the fairy-tale scenario of dethroning a champion on foreign soil, Buatsi isn’t refusing the chance. With the reigning champion David Benavidez stepping aside, this is the opportunity he’s been waiting for, even if it came unexpectedly.
Boxing means more to Buatsi than just competition inside the ring. His faith is a cornerstone of his life, balancing the sport’s aggression with spiritual confidence. His Instagram handle, Psalms 144:1, nods to a biblical passage about preparing for battle which he finds empowering, rather than contradictory.
Nevertheless, Buatsi stresses that faith doesn’t replace hard work. The early mornings, tough sessions, weight cuts—none of that disappears. After his loss to Smith, instead of making drastic changes, he leaned on close family and friends, took a break for charity work, and returned stronger, embodying resilience and perspective beyond the sport.
He hopes that, if he wins the title, he can use his platform to give back to his Ghanaian roots and communities worldwide, not just enjoy personal fame. “Success isn’t just about me benefiting,” he said. “It has to touch the wider community.”
The path forward remains challenging. Hutchinson, having already faced Buatsi in a tough and split-decision fight, is eager to reclaim what he believes was his. Buatsi expects a tougher opponent but is focused on ensuring a decisive win this time.
Looking beyond, Buatsi eyes a potential undisputed championship bout against the winner of Dmitry Bivol and Callum Smith next year, revealing bigger ambitions fueled by his journey so far. For now, heading into Saturday’s fight, he welcomes the pressure, viewing it as a privilege to prove himself and share the moment with his family, including relatives he recently connected with thanks to social media.
Incredibly, this accomplished fighter—once uncertain about boxing as a child—now carries the hopes of many on his path to becoming a world champion.
Fan Take: Joshua Buatsi’s story resonates because it highlights the grit and perseverance needed to reach boxing’s pinnacle, offering inspiration beyond mere talent. His potential world title win could reshape the light heavyweight division and elevate the sport’s global appeal, especially among fans rooting for fighters who blend heart, faith, and skill.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
