A Point To Prove - Main Event Deep Dive

Joshua Buatsi
IT QUICKLY BECAME apparent, when Joshua Buatsi straddled the global stage at the 2016 Olympics, that here was a man destined for very big things in the professional code of the sport.

The Croydon man and proud Ghanaian duly took home a bronze medal from the Rio sporting carnival and this studious performer did what smart cookies do. He returned to university to finish his studies before courting offers to guide his pro journey.

It wasn’t until knocking on a year later that the now 34-year-old made his professional debut and marked the occasion with a second round stoppage at the o2 in London.

His career from that point on sometimes appeared to struggle for momentum a little bit, once his early accelerated progress was complete. Buatsi became WBA International light heavyweight champion in fight No.7 and, remarkably, it was a title he ended up defending on seven occasions, albeit winning the British title in-between and not making a single defence.

Whereas he was always tipped for international stardom, Buatsi actually became embroiled in memorable domestic showdowns, starting off with Craig Richards in 2022, which he won by decision.

Following a promotional switch, he was then matched up with his great friend and sparring partner Dan Azeez, which provided a second tilt at the British title. The friends became foes for 36 minutes and Buatsi prevailed. Next up, in only his fourth fight in an over two-year period, Buatsi took up the chance of a shot at the WBO Interim world title against Willy Hutchinson at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.

Buatsi lived up to all his projected promise against the talented Scot and holding the belt took him in the direction of Riyadh and a defence against former super middleweight world champion Callum Smith. He suffered a first professional setback in February against Smith in a stirring encounter.

To bring the Buatsi story up to date, he signed up with Hall Of Fame promoter Frank Warren and his first assignment came against long-time super middleweight contender Zach Parker. Buatsi prevailed, but it was a controversial decision and against Willy Hutchinson on November, it will need a rejuvenated Buatsi if he is to return home with the WBC Interim world title.

Willy Hutchinson
THE HUTCH TRAIN is now travelling full steam ahead and firmly in the direction of a WBC Interim world title shot against Joshua Buatsi on November 7 in Manchester.

Now 28, the Hutchinson show got back on the road following his 2024 Wembley Stadium defeat to Joshua Buatsi with an emphatic win over a dangerous opponent in Mark Jeffers last year.

He followed this notable victory with another statement against the previously unbeaten Ezra Taylor in March.

Hutchinson always appeared destined for world title business after converting the WBC International title he won against Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna in May 2023 - and defended against Martin Houben - to the coveted WBC Silver title.

He did this upgrade with a memorable victory over previous world title challenger Craig Richards in Riyadh as part of the 5 vs 5 promotional confrontation between Queensberry and Matchroom.

Despite finding himself in pole position with the WBC, Hutchinson chose to alter his course when the opportunity came along to challenge for the WBO Interim world title against Buatsi.

Following a gripping encounter, Hutchinson was deemed to have lost via split decision, although the Scottish former world amateur champion was put to the canvas twice over the course of the fight.