Before Joshua Buatsi landed a punch on Willy Hutchinson, he had already grabbed him by the neck. Reflecting on the intense pre-fight exchange that escalated beyond expectation, Buatsi shares, “My mum called me, Alex. She wasn’t pleased about that.”
This surprising moment took place prior to the British rivals’ first match in 2024, quite unexpected from Buatsi, who is known to be one of the most polite boxers around. At 33, Buatsi admits he felt provoked by Hutchinson, whose rapid-fire words often outpace his punches — both tactics designed to unsettle opponents. When Buatsi grabbed his former sparring partner’s neck, some questioned whether losing composure might affect the fight itself.
“I’ve always said I feel nothing personal towards him,” Buatsi tells The Independent ahead of their Saturday rematch. “When we fight, it’s purely business — cold and professional. Before and after, I feel normal about him, but if he crosses a line, I will respond.” He recalls, “My dad called me afterward; I don’t remember what was said, but my mum made it clear right away she was unhappy. I told her it wasn’t a big deal — we’ve been through far worse situations, though not in boxing. But she disagreed.” Interestingly, she had no objection to him punching Hutchinson in the face, to which Buatsi chuckled in agreement.
The first fight, held at Wembley the night Anthony Joshua suffered a crushing defeat to Daniel Dubois, saw Buatsi knock down Hutchinson and win on points. That seemed to settle their rivalry until this summer’s announcement of their rematch. This time, their contest headlines at the AO Arena in Manchester, with the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title at stake.
Since their initial bout, Hutchinson has recorded two consecutive wins, whereas Buatsi is 1-1 — including his first career loss, a decision defeat to Callum Smith, and a narrow victory over Zach Parker a year ago. Buatsi responds to Hutchinson’s comments comparing their recent records: “It’s true I lost one fight and looked off in the other, but the opponents Hutchinson faced [Ezra Taylor and Mark Jeffers] lack the experience of mine. Callum Smith, for instance, was a unified super-middleweight champion stepping up in weight — a big and seasoned fighter.”
Fans remain divided on the rematch, with some backing Buatsi to win again, while many believe Hutchinson, 28, is improving and gaining momentum. Buatsi remains unfazed, saying, “I’m not bothered by disrespect online. Sure, if you read comments you might feel down, but I don’t engage with that. After all my achievements, I focus on my work, not the chatter.”
Buatsi views the loss to Smith as a hard lesson that showcased his toughness. “I’d like to think I showed courage,” he says, admitting he faced some dark moments in the fight but avoided falling into despair afterward thanks to support from family, faith, and charity work, which “healed” him.
He emphasizes his commitment to charity, especially in Ghana, his homeland. “I stay connected with the boxing community there — training, eating, sharing experiences — so they see I’m a real person, not just a name online. I try to offer advice when it’s needed,” he explains. He also supports orphans, recognizing their need for love and care, stressing, “Sometimes people complicate things, but it’s simple: if someone’s hungry, feed them.”
Boxing not only provides for Buatsi but also empowers him to give back. This Saturday, he aims to put gloves to Hutchinson’s face, but hopefully, hands around the neck will stay in check.
Fan Take: This fierce rivalry between Buatsi and Hutchinson is more than just a fight; it’s a high-stakes narrative shaping British light-heavyweight boxing. Their upcoming rematch promises to elevate the division and could define the future paths of both fighters, making it a must-watch for fight fans craving intense competition and compelling storylines.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
