“There’s no space for second place”: What went wrong for Joshua Buatsi?

Joshua Buatsi facing uncertain future after ‘Hutch Train’ derails world title dream

“There’s no space for second place”

Those were the words of an emotional Joshua Buatsi (now 20-2) in a post-fight interview with broadcasters DAZN in his changing room, mere minutes after a golden opportunity to become world champion had passed him by.

Accra-born Croydon fighter Buatsi fell to a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Willy Hutchinson, a man he had already beaten as a professional two years prior, at the AO Arena, Manchester, on Saturday night as the skilful Scot claimed the vacant WBC light-heavyweight strap.

A lethargic and lacklustre first six rounds of the fight cost Buatsi dearly as he allowed the slick Hutchinson to build up what, at the final tally of the scores, proved to be a decisive lead. He was awarded twin 115-113 verdicts by Phil Austin and Mark Lyson, whilst David Irving went even wider with 117-112.

For ‘The Hutch Train’, a domestic showdown with Anthony Yarde looks a real possibility for his first defence. Yarde was an interested ringside observer and was in the ring post-fight to discuss a potential 2027 clash with the newly crowned champion. But for Buatsi, his pugilistic future appears far less certain.

Buatsi turns 34 in early 2027 and next July will mark a decade since he made his professional bow, a second-round stoppage win over Spaniard Carlos Mena at the O2 Arena, London. Expectations were high for a fighter who had won bronze at the 2016 Olympics, with a world title widely expected.

Only two of Buatsi’s first 12 foes made the final bell between his July 2017 debut and a stoppage over Ryan Ford in August 2019, as ‘Just Business’ ruthlessly swatted aside his early competition, securing the British and WBA International titles and a lofty world ranking to boot.

The wins did keep coming, 19 of them consecutively before his first professional defeat to Callum Smith in a gruelling battle last February, but career momentum has eluded and cost Buatsi since those early days.

Whilst Covid-19 can be offered as a valid mitigating factor for inactivity between 2020 and 2021, Buatsi managed three further wins across those two calendar years. However, he has fought just six times since defeating Craig Richards in May 2022. In that calendar year, along with 2023 and 2026, Buatsi fought just once.

He has switched promoters twice, ending his long-term association with Matchroom when 16-0, before remaining on Sky Sports with BOXXER for four fights and then fighting under Queensberry for his two most recent outings.

There has been a reported reluctance to grasp earlier world title opportunities, perhaps due to wanting to age out the two dominant forces at 175lb, Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, before looking for what would be a more favourable opportunity.

With no disrespect to Hutchinson, that tactic would have paid off handsomely had victory been secured on Saturday. But, as has been symptomatic of a frustrating career that has left people wanting more, Buatsi fluffed his lines when it mattered most.

Ring rust was evident in the early exchanges at the weekend.

It was his first outing since a dull, debatable decision victory over Zach Parker 12 months ago, in which he looked a shadow of his former explosive self. The significant punishment taken during the loss to Smith looked to have taken its toll that night, and even more so on Saturday.

Buatsi seemed reluctant to adapt to Hutchinson’s switch-hitting and movement, preferring to fight at a slower pace that saw him getting picked off by the confident Carstairs fighter, who appeared to be revelling in the big stage, whereas Buatsi seemed to be enduring it.

There was a lack of urgency from Virgil Hunter in the corner that reflected his charge’s in-ring approach. Hutchinson racked up the rounds without seemingly having to do a great deal of work, as Buatsi struggled to gain a foothold.

It wasn’t until the latter stages, when Hutchinson started to tire slightly, that Buatsi looked capable of turning the tide his way. A spirited final four rounds saw him effectively target the body, desperately attempting to produce a fight-changing moment, but it proved too little, too late.

As he takes stock of a huge missed opportunity, Buatsi will be kicking himself for not showing the same urgency in the last four rounds as he had in the previous eight. He did have success when upping the tempo and made Hutchinson uncomfortable at times, but it is certainly a case of what might have been for a fighter from whom so much was expected.

With miles on the clock despite just 22 professional bouts in nearly a decade, and now approaching his mid-thirties, Buatsi may well have to seriously consider whether he has the desire to undergo a rebuild. If he does, he must also consider the make-up of his corner team if he is to challenge again at the sharp end of the light-heavyweight division.