Zach Parker vs Willy Hutchinson Preview September 21st, 2024
The vacant WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Title is on the line in Manchester, England this Saturday, Feb. 8th when Willy Hutchinson of Scotland takes on England’s Zach Parker. The 12-rounder can be seen live in the UK and Ireland on TNT Sports 1. Hutchinson last saw action in September when he dropped a 12-round split decision to Joshua Buatsi in a shot at the WBO Interim Title. Hutchinson was dropped in the sixth and ninth rounds and was deducted a point in the seventh stanza for headbutting. In his previous outing, Hutchinson beat Craig Richards via a 12-round unanimous decision for the vacant WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Crown. Parker’s last fight resulted in a fourth-round TKO over Jack Arnfield in July.
Parker vs Hutchinson Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Willy Hutchinson +185
- Zach Parker -225
My Pick
The 30-year-old Parker carries around a fine mark of 25-1 with 18 Ko’s and has fought 124 rounds since making his pro debut in 2015. He lost to Joshua Buatsi as an amateur in the quarter-finals at the 2014 English National Championships. Since turning pro he’s captured the WBO International and the vacant British Super Middleweight Titles. His lone defeat came to John Ryder in a shot at the vacant WBO Interim Super Middleweight Belt in November 2022 when he had to retire after four rounds due to a broken hand.
He stepped up in class against Ryder as his biggest wins before meeting him came against against Bradley Pryce, Luke Blackledge, Darryl Williams, Rohan Murdock and Vaughn Alexander. Parker measures 6-feet-tall with a 74-inch reach and has impressive power in his arsenal as 72 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage including seven of his last eight. Parker’s a solid boxer with power but is probably more suited the European stage rather than taking on world-class opponents and also has a win over Tyron Zeuge.
Hutchinson is 26 years old and has a record of 18-2 with 13 Ko’s. He turned pro back in 2017 and has boxed 86 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 is an inch taller than Parker.
As far as power is concerned, Hutchinson is equal to Parker, at least on paper, as 72.2 per cent of his victories have come by stoppage including four of his last five. His first 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…
Hutchinson has fought as a light heavyweight since 2021 while Parker’s been splitting his time as a super middleweight and light heavyweight recently, but hasn’t weighed in more than 172 lbs since 2019. Both men have power but have also been stopped once. Parker arguably has the better chin as he was halted due to a broken hand. 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 Hutchinson is at his very best he should do just enough to come out with a win.
Hutchinson is more used to the 175 lb division.
Play: Hutchinson -225 @ BetOnline.ag
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Willy Hutchinson betting • Zach Parker betting