
Boxing experts share their predictions as British rivals renew their rivalry.
Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson will fight for the vacant WBC world light-heavyweight title in Manchester on Saturday, following their first encounter in September 2024.
AI-generated summary
Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson previously fought in September 2024 on the undercard of Daniel Dubois' win over Anthony Joshua, where Buatsi won by split decision.
Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson renew their rivalry for the vacant WBC world light-heavyweight title in Manchester on Saturday.
The British rivals first met in a highly entertaining, hard-fought contest on the undercard of Daniel Dubois' win over Anthony Joshua in September 2024.
Londoner Buatsi, 33, twice knocked down Hutchinson before going on to win by split decision.
Scotland's Hutchinson, 28, suffered the second defeat of his professional career that night but two wins since have put him in a position to fight for a first world title.
Can Buatsi repeat his victory? Or will Hutchinson gain revenge in Manchester?
BBC Sport spoke to figures from across the boxing world to get their predictions.
"It's a really good fight. I think the first fight was very good - Willy was dropped a couple of times in the fight and that cost him. Otherwise, his performance was OK. He's matured a lot since that fight and is in good form.
"Buatsi has maybe just started to look old but the fact the world title is on the line... When he turned professional, everyone thought he was a shoo-in to become world champion and he hasn't achieved it yet. This is the chance, so we may see a level of Buatsi that we haven't seen in a while.
"I think it'll be really competitive but I'm just edging Hutchinson to win on points with the run of form he's on."
Prediction - Hutchinson
"I'm going for a repeat for Buatsi and he finally gets his hands on a world title. It has been 10 years since he was at the Olympics and it felt like he slipped away from that batch of fighters.
"Buatsi does things in his own time and he's finally got his shot. It comes at a great time for him, it could go two ways - he's either overconfident because he's beaten Willy or his confidence could be a good thing and he could step on it early and I think it's the second one.
"I can't see Willy getting stopped - he's tough - so I'm going Buatsi on points, but he might get a knockdown."
Prediction - Buatsi
"A rematch that I didn't think would come around but it all makes sense with the added incentive of gold. Someone will leave as world champion. The first time they fought, it was 80-20 Buatsi for me, but Hutchinson was a lot better than I expected.
"He has now closed that gap drastically and now it's 55-45 Buatsi. How much has Callum Smith taken out of Buatsi? On the flip side, Hutchinson, after that defeat, has gone from strength to strength.
"He showed everything in his last fight against Ezra Taylor. I favour Buatsi just, but we'll see how much that Smith fight took out of him. I think Buatsi will be world champion, but I wouldn't be surprised if Willy Hutchinson walks home with gold."
Prediction - Buatsi
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson will fight for the WBC world light-heavyweight title in Manchester.
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