Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson 2 Predictions & Picks – Buatsi To Claim Interim World Title
- Joshua Buatsi tipped to win on points against Willy Hutchinson
- Buatsi's power and experience made the difference in their first fight
- Both fighters have regularly gone the distance in recent bouts
Joshua Buatsi (Getty Images)
Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson 2 Predictions & Picks
Joshua Buatsi is tipped to win the vacant interim WBC light-heavyweight title on points.
Buatsi scored a couple of knockdowns as he won the first meeting, and his combination of power and top-level experience can be the difference again over 12 rounds.
- Joshua Buatsi won the first fight via decision
- Joshua Buatsi has gone the distance in each of his last 6 fights
- Willy Hutchinson has gone the distance in 3 of his last 4 fights
Head To Head
- Joshua Buatsi won by split decision when the two men met in September 2024
Joshua Buatsi Form
Joshua Buatsi enters this contest having rebounded from his first professional loss with a victory that improved his record to 20-1 (13 KOs).
Buatsi debuted in 2017 and wasted little time in climbing the ladder, winning minor light-heavyweight titles along the way.
He claimed the British title in March 2019 with a third-round knockout of Liam Conroy, but instead of defending the belt he continued to stack up wins against international opposition.
The 33-year-old – born in Ghana – reclaimed the British crown in February 2024 when he beat Dan Azeez on points.
That victory also earned Buatsi the Commonwealth championship and a fight for the interim WBO light-heavyweight title later that year.
‘Just Business’ won the belt with a split decision victory over Willy Hutchinson, but failed to retain it in February of last year as he was out-pointed by Callum Smith.
Buatsi bounced back in November though, as he recorded a majority decision over Zach Parker.
Willy Hutchinson Form
Willy Hutchinson has rebounded from his defeat to Joshua Buatsi in September 2024 with back-to-back victories to improve to 20-2 (14 KOs).
Hutchinson entered the professional ranks in 2017, and after compiling a perfect 13-0 record he challenged for the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles in March 2021.
He came up short though, as he was knocked out in the fifth round by Lennox Clarke.
The 27-year-old Scotsman rebounded with a series of stoppage wins, before a unanimous decision victory over Craig Richards in June 2024 earned him an interim world title fight.
Hutchinson failed to take his opportunity though, as he dropped a split decision to his opponent here, Joshua Buatsi.
‘Braveheart’ has bounced back from that disappointment though, following up last year’s seventh-round stoppage of Mark Jeffers with a unanimous decision win over Ezra Taylorin March of this year.
Verdict
Joshua Buatsi’s mixture of power and experience was the key to victory in the first meeting two years ago.
And despite Willy Hutchinson’s improvement in his last two fights, it can be the difference again in the rematch.
And despite Willy Hutchinson’s improvement in his last two fights, it can be the difference again in the rematch.
Leigh Copson
Sports Editor • 25+ Years Experience, US & Combat Sports Specialist
US sports writer covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, boxing and MMA, with previews, predictions and betting tips across the major American leagues.
During his career at the Press Association and online sports sites including FreeTips and ExpertPicks.com, he has covered some of the biggest sporting events on the planet, including the Super Bowl, the Champions League Final and the World Cup Final.
He has also covered almost every major boxing match and UFC fight card during this time.. His specialist sports are American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Football.