Hutchinson's mission to fulfil childhood prophecy

Published1 hour ago

Scotland's Willy Hutchinson will be on a mission to realise the dream he wrote about as a 13-year-old when he fights for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title on Saturday.

Hutchinson and British rival Joshua Buatsi meet in a rematch at Manchester's AO Arena, just over two years after Buatsi earned a split-decision win in a thrilling first contest.

At the final news conference before the championship fight, Hutchinson, 28, explained that he jotted down his boxing goals as a teenager while working with his dad - and becoming WBC champion was at the top.

After David Benavidez gave up the WBC gold to move up to cruiserweight, a fight that was originally scheduled to be for the interim title was upgraded.

"I wrote on a pen and book that I'll become Scottish, British, European and world amateur champion," Hutchinson said.

"On the opposite side of this book - I'm 13 and I still have this book to this day - I wrote that I'll become WBC champion of the world.

"I already got the silver and the international and now I'm fighting for the main belt."

The 'Hutch-Train' became the first Scottish boxer to win gold at an amateur World Championships nearly 10 years ago, triumphing at youth level.

The date of that victory and the Buatsi fight night are just days apart on the calendar, which Hutchinson says is "absolutely fantastic".

Broadcaster Adam Smith, who hosted Thursday's news conference, challenged Hutchinson to bring along the book containing his boxing ambitions on Saturday night and the Scot said he was "sure we can sort something".

Hutchinson managed to get under Buatsi's skin during the build-up to the first fight, but there was no sign of that this time as they spoke at Manchester's New Century Hall.

The fighters were asked about their newfound respect for each other, with Hutchinson saying he's "had to mature".

The Scot did edge ever closer to Buatsi during the face-off, and the tension could be felt, but that maturity remained intact.

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Winning titles 'wasn't a dream' for Buatsi

Unlike his opponent, Buatsi had no designs on becoming a boxing star as a youngster.

"My life was very different to all of this. Fighting in arenas, winning titles and going to the Olympics, as a little boy, this wasn't a dream of mine," Buatsi said.

The Londoner, now 33, was tipped for great things when he claimed an Olympic bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games, but his progress has been slower than expected.

With a record of 20 wins and one defeat as a professional, this is potentially Buatsi's only chance of winning a world title.

He looked relaxed throughout the news conference and mingled with the media afterwards.

"When I started the sport, I got off to winning ways, carried on, and then the dream came," Buatsi said.

"As a little boy, if you asked if I wanted to do this, hell no.

"I didn't have the vision for it, but now I've had it, we've tuned in on it, and we're almost there."

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