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Reflecting on Death, Retirement and Finally Joshua Buatsi: Willy Hutchinson Is a Reborn Warrior

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When Willy Hutchinson steps into the ring at Wembley Stadium in London to fight Joshua Buatsi, he will do so fueled by memories of his recent battle with suicidal thoughts.

In just six months, his career has been transformed. On September 21, in what will be his biggest fight against the universally admired Buatsi, Hutchinson will likely be considered Buatsi’s most perilous opponent.

In March, after spending a period rebuilding his career following a surprise 2021 loss to Lennox Clarke, Hutchinson returned to contention for a huge fight by stopping Martin Houben. He was rewarded in June when he faced Craig Richards – who gave Buatsi his toughest fight of 2022 – and responded as an underdog by handing Richards his most convincing defeat.

There’s no getting around the fact that it was none other than Dmitry Bivol, who will fight Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed lithe heavyweight title on October 12, who dealt Richards the first of three defeats, but the perspective Hutchinson gained from his loss to Clarke just two months earlier means that, for him, the defeat has become almost irrelevant.

The 25-year-old Scot lost out in the boxing ring because he had almost completely lost his way in life. Lacking purpose and direction, despite a natural talent that in 2016 made him the first from his country to win gold at the amateur world championships – he had previously won the European junior championships in 2014 – there was also a time when he thought his career was over.

Hutchinson prepares for the 31-year-old Buatsi in a gym near Malaga, Spain. His presence there is likely the first in a series of unexpected events that have put him and his opponent on the road to a fight; if it weren’t for the collapse of Buatsi’s plans to fight Anthony Yarde, Hutchinson’s victory over Richards would not have been enough.

“I was on the verge of not wanting to be here,” he tells BoxingScene. “I had personal issues in my life. Finally, there came a time in my life when I didn’t want to box ever again. That was about three years ago. I didn’t want to box ever again – I was a retired veteran.

“I had some personal problems in my personal life. I got a call from a little guy named Mirko Wolf [my trainer] who sat next to me, who saved my life, and here I am today. The little man who I thought would never call me, called me and took me to Spain and since then I have never looked back.

“I got off the plane, walked past the gym, exhaled through my mouth and said, ‘Man, I feel better already,’ and I’ve never looked back since. That’s the truthful truth. Being home [was part of the problem].To be at home [Carstairs].To be a youthful, stupid boy with a pot full of money and nowhere to go.

“Waking up at three in the morning; going to bed at five in the morning. Nothing to wake up for. Stupid personal problems; there are many things that can put you in a bad place. It’s all in God’s hands, right? God is great. God is great, my brother.”

The reference to God was just one indication that Hutchinson, for all his progress, had not only not forgotten what he had suffered but also how much it had changed him. The devastating defeat he inflicted on Clarke in the British and Commonwealth titles brought another.

It was only recently that he might have reconsidered how breakable every fighter’s career is. Joe Joyce’s career is beyond repair in the wake of his defeat to Derek Chisora; he and Hutchinson made their professional debuts for the same organisation in October 2017, when Joyce’s victory over Ian Lewison – who had to be helped off the stage after suffering injuries sustained by Joyce and who has not fought since – was the main event.

“The reality is I should have beaten that guy with my eyes closed and hopping on one leg, and that’s the truthful truth,” Hutchinson says. “It should have happened, but listen, this is boxing, man. This is boxing; it happens. Anything can happen, man.

“Look, it happens, right? People make mistakes; I make more mistakes than anyone in the world. You know, I make more mistakes than anyone, so that’s one of them – you just have to take it on the chest and move on.

“The only motivation I have right now, brother, is to beat Buatsi and then look to the future, you know what I mean?

“I really couldn’t care less [about people having me an underdog against Richards]. I’ve never really looked at the outsider influence, you know? I mean, look at Joe Joyce and Chisora. You know what I mean? It’s crazy. But if you believe in yourself enough, none of that matters, right?

“The secret, I think, is that I’m elated with myself and I enjoy what I do. Obviously, everybody has their ups and downs, and I think I’m very elated and I’m in a very good place, and if you’re in a good place mentally, the rest is uncomplicated, man – the rest is just enjoying it. Have fun – there’s no point in doing this whole camping thing and then, like, I’m away from home for six months and then – you know what I mean? You might as well enjoy it.

“The ups and downs – even in you, they don’t have to be nothing. That’s just your mind wondering, right? You have good people in your life and you bring it back to where you need to be.

“I think I’m more mature now than I was a year ago. If you could have seen me a year ago and seen where I am now, I think I’ve matured a lot more and I know what’s in front of me, you know what I mean? Sometimes you can sit there and think, ‘Man, this is a million miles away, what’s going on here?’ I just won the title and it seems so far away, but it’s really just on the tip of your finger – you just don’t know until it falls over.”

“The physical part has always been there. I’ve always been mighty as an ox since I was 10, you know what I mean? The physical part – that’s more in you. For me, the mentality was the biggest part of it all. You see, if I’m elated, I can beat anyone. There’s no other person I can’t beat. That’s my truthful truth and I really, from the bottom of my heart, believe that. You know what I mean? It’s perilous. Physically, I’ve always been physically that mighty.

“[It’s] It’s kind of demanding to explain, but it’s just within me. I think it has a lot to do with maturing as a person – as a man – you know?”

Hutchinson’s struggles to explain prompted the intervention of his coach Mirko Wolf, who – sounding much like his player – said: “Brother, I was very worried because, I mean, as he told you, he was in a bad place in every way. Not just in the sport; personally; like in the family. There are some stories that come with that that could make anyone unhappy – not just Willy. Anyone. And sometimes it’s just good to have good people who are really trying to aid you.”

“And it wasn’t about business or anything like that – it was just a friend helping a friend. And like I said, at that point I didn’t care if it was boxing or not. I want this guy to be good, because he’s got a pure heart. And he’s a good guy; he’s a good person; a good person. And as Willie put it, it’s settled down over the last few years when we were here in Spain – he’s just in a good place.

“He’s super stable and every time he stepped into the ring he raised his game. And that’s why in the fight with Buatsi you’ll see even a different animal and we’re just super relaxed – super – As I said.

“You know today, right? You’re talking to me on the phone, and I’m talking to you – how close do you think it’s going to get to me not coming back to that house?

“When you have your lows in life, every time you take it and you take it on the chin, you have two options – you either give up or you grow up. You take it as a lesson and you grow up. Willy has chosen to learn from it, he will grow up and fulfill his destiny, which is to be the best on planet Earth in this sport, and we are very close to that.”

“It’s like it’s right there, within reach, isn’t it? Yes, God willing. Everything – like the whole world saw what Willie was all about on September 21st.”

Is there a chance that Buatsi, so eager for a richer and more prestigious fight with his London colleague Yarde, is ignoring him?

“No, he’s not underestimating me – trust me,” Hutchinson says. “If there’s anything, that man will be far from watching over me. He knows. He’s not stupid. But Yarde would be an easier fight for him. And that’s the truthful truth.

“You have to look at it. I’ve seen a lot of Yarde. Yarde had three or four of the toughest fights of his life.

Yarde has the fighting spirit now, and Buatsi – well, it will all come out on September 21st, right? Yes, I have [think Buatsi would have beaten Yarde].

“Buatsi is good. He’s a good, mighty fighter, but he’s just like Craig Richards. And I said that about Craig Richards and I’ll say that about Buatsi – I’m going to knock them out completely.”

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Tyson’s conqueror, Danny Williams, was “never considered” for Morrison

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Kenzie Morrison Danny Williams

World Boxing News has learned that Danny Williams was never considered for a fight against Tommy Morrison’s son Kenzie on November 9.

WBN has learned from a source that Williams was scheduled to face Morrison next month when he returns to action at Firelake Arena in Shawnee. However, promoter Tony Holden confirmed what WBN initially reported, namely that Williams had been offered for the fight.

BoxRec also briefly placed Williams within Morrison’s record on November 9, before removing the former British champion. Williams famously knocked out Mike Tyson in 2004, but has since lived off his victory despite losing his British license more than a decade ago.

Holden, who represents Morrison and is looking for an opponent for the competition in three weeks, explained the situation exclusively to WBN.

“I never confirmed William’s story and I never considered him,” Holden said. “I said no when a local promoter suggested it.”

Williams, 51, last fought in August 202, losing for the 33rd time in his career. With 88 professional fights under his belt, Williams seems unable to turn down a payday despite his advanced age.

Morrison, a power puncher who has stopped 19 of his 21 wins, will look for his next conquest elsewhere. The fight with Mike Balogun remains on the table for 2025 after it was postponed from its original October date.

Balogun, who knocked out Kenzi’s brother Trey in the first round, claimed Morrison was pulled from the fight to spare him the loss.

Holden denies this view.

“Even though this post isn’t up to my standards, I’m going to write it anyway. Mike Balogun falsely claimed that I pulled Kenzie Morrison out of the fight because I was afraid he would lose. Please allow me to correct you, Mr. Balogun,” he stated.

“The decision was not made by Kenzie. Let’s raise the stakes and make it fascinating. If you emerge victorious this month, Kenzie will fight in November.

“We may decide this early next year. If your confidence remains unshaken, we can place a significant bet. Watch Kenzie take revenge on her brother and end your career.

Balogun, a former San Francisco 49ers linebacker, responded to Holden by increasing his salary for a potential collision next year.

“No matter how fair and honorable your decision was, just remember that ‘yesterday’s price is not today’s price,’” said the 2010 undrafted pick.

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Andrew Moloney is confident that if given the chance, he would have beaten Phumelele Cafu and Kosei Tanaka

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Andrew Moloney (left) attacks Pedro Guevara – photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Few people were more disappointed than Andrew Moloney when Kosei Tanaka lost his WBO super flyweight belt to Phumelele Cafu at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Monday night.

The 33-year-old Australian veteran was hoping to get a shot at beating Tanaka in the lucrative Japanese market.

Those dreams were dashed when South Africa’s Cafu delivered the performance of his life, knocking out Tanaka in the fifth round and finishing the fight strongly, beating the four-weight world champion by split decision.

“The plan was to target the WBO and really chase the Tanaka fight, but it all fell apart on Monday night,” Moloney (26-4-1NC, 16 KO) told The Ring. “I think the WBO is probably still the direction we go, but I’m not sure if they have a rematch clause or if Tanaka will take it. But after watching the fight yesterday, I would be really confident that I could fight one of these guys and win. We would like to follow this path.

“I would love to fight Tanaka in Japan as a four-division world champion. He’s definitely someone I’ve looked up to and wanted to fight for a long time.

“Last night was a little hard to watch. The way he performed, I’m more confident than ever that I have what it takes to beat Tanaka.

I assume there will be a rematch and I hope that Tanaka will regain the belt and I will be able to return to the ring and climb the rankings, and maybe this fight will still happen.

Tanaka entered Moloney’s orbit four years ago when he debuted at 115 pounds. Earlier this year, it looked like they were also on a collision course, with Moloney being number one in the WBO rankings. However, when an offer was made for the vacant IBF lightweight title fight between Vasily Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. in May in Perth, Western Australia, Moloney felt he couldn’t turn her down.

This decision ended in disaster. Moloney faced Carlos Cuadras, who withdrew from the fight with a ruptured Achilles tendon and was replaced by Pedro Guevara. Moloney entered the fight with a torn bicep and was largely reduced to boxing with one hand, which circumscribed his punching power.

Still, Moloney felt he did more than enough to win, and was shocked when Guevara was declared the winner by split decision. He was so disappointed that he announced immediately after the fight that he was leaving the ring, but a few days later he withdrew these comments.

It was a breakthrough moment in his career.

“Looking back, it’s a wonderful thing, but watching the Tanaka-Cafu fight made me think that maybe I would do a lot of things if I could turn back time a little bit,” Moloney explained.

“Before my last fight, I was number one in the WBO rankings and I rejected the option of waiting to fight Tanaka. But the opportunity arose to fight Guevara in Australia for the interim WBC title on a major card, and to be candid, I kind of regretted that the Tanaka fight was hanging in the balance, but ultimately we decided to stay busy and take the opportunity to fight in Australia.

“Also, the injury before the fight was another thing I thought about: will I undergo surgery, keep the top spot and wait for Tanaka, but I made the decision to go ahead with the fight with Guevara. Looking back now, maybe it wasn’t the smartest thing to do. And looking at the way Tanaka fought last night, I thought maybe I should have waited. I’m sure I could beat Tanaka and take the belt away from him.

“So I take some consolation, but unfortunately you can’t turn back time.”

It’s been a frustrating year for Moloney, but he’s still hitting the gym and his team is working to get him another fight. The window of opportunity to box again this year is closing quickly, but he still hopes to return to the ring in December, most likely in his native Australia.

“I really hope so,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been working on. I have been training strenuous at the gym for some time, quite a few months. I hope to return before the end of the year.

“At this stage it will probably be December. I’m trying to block something, but so far no luck. I’m still training away as if the fight was to take place in December, the team is currently working on it and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll be able to finish it.

“I just hope we can get out before the end of the year, get back into the winner’s circle and start climbing the rankings again.”

Moloney, who fought at bantamweight for the first three years of his professional career before dropping down to super flyweight, surprisingly, said he would even consider moving up to another weight class given the right opportunity.

“It’s a tough time in the super flyweight division,” said Moloney, the eighth challenger to The Ring’s 115-pound title. “There’s a lot going on and it’s always strenuous to plan which route to take because everything changes so quickly. I’d pick Bam Rodriguez to beat Guevara, then there’s talk of a rematch between Kazuto Ioka and Fernando Martinez on Up-to-date Year’s Eve. And then there’s talk of Bama, if they win, fighting the winner of that game in unification. The WBO seems to me the fastest way to win the title, so that’s the path we will follow.

“We have also rejected for some time the idea of ​​moving up to flyweight and getting crack there. There’s also some engaging scene going on there right now, but it’s still uncertain. I’d probably feel a little better at super flyweight, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens with Cafu and Tanaka, but like I said, I’d feel comfortable and confident against either of them, so hopefully he can make it it will happen sooner rather than later.”

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Doubts that fuel 19-year-old Benjamin Johnson

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Despite an impressive amateur resume, welterweight Benjamin Johnson of Springdale, Maryland, enters the professional ring with a shoulder injury.

Johnson will face Kevin Pantoja in a four-round fight at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland, promoted by his trainer Lamont Roach Snr’s NoXcuses Promotions. The fight will be broadcast on Saturday on ProBox TV.

Johnson, 1-0 (1 KO), spent just 2:23 in the ring in his professional debut, displaying the quick, aggressive hands that won him multiple national titles. However, 19-year-old Johnson feels an advantage, believing he is being overlooked by his NoXcuses Boxing Gym teammates.

Pantoja, 1-1, 27, has never stopped being a professional – Johnson aims to change that.

“People underestimate me,” Johnson said. “It’s been like that since I was an amateur.”

He added that this underestimation increases his motivation in the gym. Johnson is determined to prove his worth not only to himself, but also to those who doubt him or, worse, don’t recognize him. “I never felt like I was recognized as that guy, so I feel like I’m underappreciated,” Johnson said of his amateur and now professional career.

Johnson sees the fight as a key step in his career, compared to feared forward David Benavidez by some teammates and touted by others as one of the most ready-to-fight prospects in the country.

“I train as much as I can,” Johnson said. “It’s about making a statement. The way you win shows people what you’re capable of, and I’m ready to show my best.

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