Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson Preview September 21st, 2024
The WBO Interim Light Heavyweight Title is on the line in London, England this Saturday, September 21st as unbeaten Joshua Buatsi of Ghana dukes it out with Willy Hutchinson of Scotland. The 12-rounder from Wembley Stadium is on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois battle and can be seen live on pay-per-view in most nations. Buatsi, who fights out of London, last fought in February when he beat Dan Azeez by a wide 12-round unanimous decision in a WBA Eliminator and won the British and Commonwealth Belts. Hutchinson last saw action in June when he beat Craig Richards via a 12-round unanimous decision for the vacant WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Crown.
Buatsi vs Hutchinson Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Willy Hutchinson +216
- Joshua Buatsi -276
My Pick
The 31-year-old Buatsi enters the fight with a perfect record of 18-0 with 13 Ko’s and obviously has pretty good power in his punches with a current knockout mark of 72.2 per cent but has gone the distance in his last three fights. He’s boxed 99 rounds as a pro since making his debut in 2017. He had a fine amateur career as he won a gold medal at the 2014 and 2015 English ABA National Championships and a bronze at the 2015 European Amateur Boxing Championships.
He also won the 2015 Olympic Test Event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the 2016 European Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament. Buatsi then went on to capture a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Since turning pro he’s won the WBA International, BBBoC British and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Titles.
Buatsi measures 6-feet-2-inches tall with a 74.5-inch reach but hasn’t really faced any legitimate world-class contenders as of yet as his biggest wins have been over Azeez, Craig Richards, Renold Quinlon, Liam Conroy, Marco Antonio Periban, Ryan Ford, Marko Calic and Ricards Bolotniks. He needs to just keep on beating whoever is put in front of him though if he hopes to eventually land a shot at a world title.
Hutchinson is 26 years old and carries around a fine mark of 18-1 with 13 Ko’s. He turned pro back in 2017 and has boxed 74 rounds since. As an amateur he won gold medals at the European Junior Championships in 2014 and the Youth World Championships in 2016. Hutchinson became the first Scottish boxer to win a gold medal at an amateur World Championship. He stands 6-feet-1-inch tall but has an unlisted reach so gives up an inch in height to Buatsi.
As far as power is concerned, Hutchinson is equal to Buatsi, at least on paper, as 72.2 per cent of his victories have come by stoppage including four of his last five. His lone defeat was a fifth-round TKO at the hands of Lennox Clarke in a shot at the vacant British and Commonwealth Super Middleweight Titles in 2021. After moving up to light heavyweight, Hutchinson has captured the WBC International Title as well as the WBC Silver Belt.
Prediction…
Buatsi has looked somewhat lethargic in several of his recent fights and he certainly can’t afford to be less than 100 per cent against Hutchinson. Both men have power but Hutchinson was stopped in his lone defeat so Buatsi arguably has the better chin. This fight will be won by the boxer who wants it most and takes the initiative. I’m expecting a very close fight here which could go either way but feel that if Buatsi is at his very best he should do just enough to come out with a win.
Buatsi’s chin and experience could be the difference.
Play: Buatsi -276 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Joshua Buatsi betting • Willy Hutchinson betting