Transformed Willy Hutchinson ready for Joshua Buatsi because of Craig Richards

Willy Hutchinson is a naturally self-assured character but only he will know whether the outrageous levels of confidence he displayed before his excellent victory over Craig Richards in June was real or a front intended to throw Richards. Whichever it was, it worked.

Richards appeared baffled by the talented Scot’s behaviour before the fight and then seemed to try too hard to keep his cool and composure while it unfolded. He was never allowed to get a foothold, and the fight had slipped through his fingers by the time he threw caution to the wind in the later rounds. 

It could be argued that Hutchinson, 18-1 (13 KOs), beat Richards in a more impressive fashion than Joshua Buatsi managed when he outpointed his fellow Londoner in 2022, and there is little doubt that the 26 year old’s self-belief has been bolstered by the victory.

Despite what he said publicly, Hutchinson must have gone into the fight with Richards with doubts – aware that he needed to prove himself – but today he has real evidence to base his claims on and he thinks that he will improve on his performance against Richards and stop Buatsi, 18-0 (13 KOs), when they fight for the interim WBO light-heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

“I believe he’s an easier fight than Craig Richards,” he told DAZN during a head-to-head face off with Buatsi. “I said that all the last time, about the last man. He was smiling in my face. He was laughing. Just like he [Buatsi] is doing right now

“Exactly what I said, I done. The only thing I didn’t do with him is knock him out but, however he stayed up, I do not know. He’s an easier fight than Craig Richards – one thousand, million percent.

“Stylistically, for me, I’ll get him a lot easier than I got the other one. The other one half didn’t know what he was doing but he does know what he’s doing and he’ll fall right into something.”

We don’t get a true impression of a fighter’s ability until they are matched with somebody who instills an element of fear in them beforehand and who then tries to beat them. Hutchinson was a world youth champion as an amateur but, after a 13-fight apprenticeship, he failed his first test in 2021 when he was stopped in five rounds by Lennox Clarke after an ill-advised drop down to super middleweight.

Against Richards he passed his first real test at 175lbs with flying colours, and he insists that Buatsi will draw a similar performance out of him. 

“I’ve had 19 fights,” Hutchinson said. “Eighteen of them weren’t worth two rolls. Not worth a shilling. The only one what was half worth something was Craig Richards and now this man

“[Lennox Clarke] wasn’t worth a shilling. I’m telling you now. There’s only one half-decent man that I’ve fought and it was that man [Richards] and that man’s a harder fight than him [Buatsi]. 

“When I knock him out, what does that make him? They’re only gonna say he was exactly what I’m saying.”

John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79