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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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Boxing

Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory

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Lauren Price

Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.

Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.

Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.

Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.

Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.

Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.

There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.

Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.

McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.

English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.

Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.

Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.

After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.

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Heavyweight who knocked out Lewis to break Tyson’s record days after the feat

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Heavyweight Oliver McCall returns 2024

Mike Tyson will miss his final record-breaking days after becoming the oldest former heavyweight champion to walk through the ring.

“The Baddest Man on the Planet” reached an all-time high in Texas on Friday night, returning from a two-decade absence. However, Tyson gave the achievement five days later to former Lennox Lewis conqueror Oliver McCall.

On Tuesday night at The Troubadour in Nashville, Tennessee, the former WBC heavyweight champion returns to action and will face veteran Stacy Frazier in a fight scheduled for four rounds. At age 59, McCall will set the record for a sanctioned fight, beating Tyson by fourteen months.

McCall was born in April 1965, and Tyson’s mother gave birth to him in June 1966. “The Atomic Bull” hopes to score his 60th career victory tonight. He enters the fight with a record of 59-14, including 38 knockouts.

The Chicago native believes his continued activity over the last 19 years will be what separates his performance on Tuesday night from what Tyson looked like on Friday.

“I’m ready. I’ve been training here in Nashville for a few weeks now, but I’m always in shape,” McCall said. “It will be a completely different match than what the fans saw on Friday.

“I think being lively has a lot to do with it. I haven’t fought in five years because of the pandemic and a few things that didn’t work out.

“If you look at my record, since 2005 I have fought 25 times, of which I have won 19-6 times against quality fighters and won various regional titles.

McCall fights without financial motivation. He sees his fighting days approaching and is already planning his post-retirement plans.

“I want to do this for another year. This means I will be 40 years into my career as a professional boxer. Then I want to train and become a manager. I want to return the favor and assist the next generation of players try to become world champions.

“I came here to Nashville and contacted the manager who took me to the title [Country Box] promoter Jimmy Adams. I’m learning a lot about this aspect of the sport. I love the players here and everything that happens with Country Box.”

The Country Box 25 gala will also feature eight-round fights between super bantamweight Elon DeJesus (8-1-2, 7 KO) and Dominique Griffin (5-7-2, 2 KO), as well as super middleweight fighters. Sean Hemphill (16-2, 10 KO) fights Bryant McClain (6-5-2, 1 KO).

Airy heavyweight Isaac Carbonell (8-0, 5 KO) will face Antonio Louis Hernandez (7-19-4, 4 KO) in six-round fights; Joel Mutombo (6-0, 4 KO) vs. Kevin Torian (3-2, 3 KO) in a cruiserweight fight.

In a four-round fight, Ryan Zempoaltecatl (2-0, 1 KO) will face Raymond Chacon (10-64-1, 2 KO).

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