Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson will reignite their rivalry this Saturday in Manchester, with the vacant WBC world light-heavyweight title on the line. The British pair first clashed in September 2024 on the undercard of Daniel Dubois' victory over Anthony Joshua, delivering a thrilling, hard-fought contest that ended in a split decision win for Buatsi after he knocked Hutchinson down twice.
Now, 28-year-old Hutchinson, from Scotland, has bounced back with two consecutive wins and is determined to claim his first world title. Meanwhile, 33-year-old Londoner Buatsi aims to repeat his earlier success and finally capture a world championship, a feat many predicted for him since his Olympic days.
Expert Predictions
Hiascope Sport spoke to prominent figures in the boxing world to gather their forecasts for the highly anticipated rematch. The opinions vary, reflecting the closeness of the matchup.
- Late Stoppage for Buatsi: Some experts believe Buatsi will stop Hutchinson in the later rounds, possibly between rounds nine and 12, citing his power and experience.
- Hutchinson's Momentum: Others point to Hutchinson's significant improvement since the first fight and his current run of form, predicting he will win on points. They argue that Buatsi may have started to show signs of aging, while Hutchinson is in his physical and mental prime.
- Buatsi's Redemption: A few analysts back Buatsi to win again, possibly by late stoppage or points, emphasizing his toughness and the fact that he has beaten Hutchinson before. They note that rematches are notoriously difficult to turn around.
- Body Shots a Factor: One expert highlighted Hutchinson's vulnerability to body shots as a potential weakness that Buatsi could exploit.
The first encounter was a close affair, with Buatsi winning 80-20 on one expert's scorecard, but Hutchinson exceeded expectations. Since then, Hutchinson has matured and gained valuable experience, while questions linger about how much Buatsi has left after his grueling fight with Callum Smith.
As the boxing world awaits this pivotal clash, one thing is certain: both fighters will leave everything in the ring. Will Buatsi fulfill his destiny, or will Hutchinson shock the odds and claim the WBC belt? The answer will unfold in Manchester this Saturday night.
