Scotland’s Willy Hutchinson is set to chase a lifelong dream when he competes for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title this Saturday. Hutchinson and his British rival Joshua Buatsi will face off again at Manchester’s AO Arena, more than two years after Buatsi narrowly triumphed in an electrifying first match.
At Thursday’s final press event, 28-year-old Hutchinson revealed that as a 13-year-old working alongside his father, he wrote down his boxing aspirations—with becoming WBC champion at the very top of the list. After David Benavidez vacated the WBC title to step up to cruiserweight, the bout—initially slated for the interim belt—was upgraded to a fight for the full championship.
“I wrote in a book back then that I would be the Scottish, British, European, and world amateur champion,” Hutchinson said. “On the opposite page of that book—I still keep it—I declared I would become the WBC world champion. I’ve already earned the silver and international belts, and now I’m going for the main title.”
Known as the ‘Hutch-Train,’ Hutchinson made history nearly a decade ago by winning Scotland’s first amateur World Championship gold at youth level. The timing of his breakthrough victory and the upcoming Buatsi fight is only days apart on the calendar, which Hutchinson called “absolutely fantastic.” When broadcaster Adam Smith challenged him to bring the original goals book to Saturday’s fight, the Scot was optimistic about making it happen.
While Hutchinson got under Buatsi’s skin ahead of their first encounter, the atmosphere this time around was more respectful, with the fighters making calm remarks at Manchester’s New Century Hall press event. Hutchinson acknowledged that maturity has played a part in their relationship. He did close the gap between them at the face-off, with tension palpable, but he maintained composure.
Meanwhile, Buatsi, now 33, said boxing was never a childhood dream for him. “My life was very different from all this. Fighting in arenas, winning titles, going to the Olympics—that wasn’t something I imagined as a youngster,” he reflected. Buatsi, who earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has a professional record of 20 wins and one loss, and this bout may represent his best or last chance at a world title. Relaxed and approachable during media interactions, Buatsi explained, “When I started, I just kept winning, and eventually the dream came. As a kid, if you’d asked me if I wanted this, I’d say no. I didn’t have the vision—but now that I do, we’re almost there.”
This eagerly awaited rematch carries significance far beyond the fight itself. For fans of the sweet science, it’s not just about crowning a champion—it’s a clash between two warriors whose contrasting paths and renewed respect highlight the sport’s enduring drama and heart. Whether Hutchinson’s youthful determination or Buatsi’s hard-earned resilience prevails, this contest promises to leave a mark on boxing’s light-heavyweight division.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
