Hutchinson Eyes Bivol-Smith Winner After Buatsi KO, Pushes Undisputed Light Heavyweight Claim

Willy Hutchinson captured the vacant WBC light heavyweight title by defeating Joshua Buatsi, and he immediately signaled his intention to face the winner of the upcoming bout between Dmitry Bivol and Callum Smith. While a fight for all the belts may sound appealing in theory, Hutchinson’s loose, free-wheeling style that worked against Buatsi may not be enough against either opponent.

Against Buatsi, Hutchinson relied on explosive speed bursts, unconventional angles, and fluid switches between orthodox and southpaw stances to baffle a more rigid and predictable opponent. That approach could become a problem against Bivol, a skilled technician. Stance switching directly in front of Bivol can create openings, potentially forcing a fighter to square up and lose balance. Once Hutchinson gives away his stance, Bivol may exploit it by drilling straight down the middle with a straight right hand.

“We’ll go for undisputed, isn’t it? I want to beat the best, be the best, beat the best. And I’m one of the best now. Got one of the belts,” Hutchinson said after the fight.

Hutchinson likes the idea of fighting the Bivol-Smith winner, but his biggest habit of pausing after throwing a lead left hook could prove costly. He often leaves his chin high and admires his own work. Bivol thrives on that exact mistake, stepping back cleanly so the shot misses, then snapping back with a check hook or a one-two before the opponent can tuck the chin. Hutchinson likely cannot rely on showmanship against an opponent who controls the ring so well.

Smith presents a different kind of danger. Hutchinson tends to throw wide, flashy flurries, but Smith is most dangerous when backed against the ropes, waiting to uncork a short inside left hook. Trading mid-range punches with Smith could be risky. To beat him, Hutchinson would need to abandon the circus act, use a stiff jab to keep range, target Smith’s tall body, and make Smith come forward while keeping the counter hook protected.

Then there is the Ben Whittaker option. Hutchinson said he would take the fight, but it makes little sense for his career right now.

Whittaker struggles when fighting on his back foot, and Hutchinson has the hand speed and awkward angles to give him trouble. Still, both fighters rely more on athletic reflexes than solid defense. A fight with Whittaker would be a pure risk. If Hutchinson slips up, he could blow his new WBC belt in a domestic clash and lose a massive unification payday in Saudi Arabia.

The outcome may ultimately come down to boxing politics. If mandatory defenses or rematch clauses delay the Bivol-Smith winner’s next move, Hutchinson may have to decide whether to stay busy with a simple defense or risk it all in a domestic clash.

Hutchinson finally has the belt he wanted. Keeping it means figuring out that the wild, erratic showmanship that worked on domestic rivals will get him dismantled against the elite at light heavyweight.

Source link