Hutchinson’s confidence is definitely on the rise after getting past Ezra Taylor this past weekend, but to call the Buatsi rematch an “easy job” is a stretch considering how their first fight really went.
In that September 2024 meeting with Buatsi, Hutchinson was knocked down twice (rounds 6 and 9). While one judge somehow managed to score him 113-112, two others saw a much clearer picture at 117-108 and 115-110. He showed the heart to finish, but was physically challenged for large parts of that fight.
“Buatsi, I’m going to make a really easy job of him,” Hutchinson said on talkSport Boxing. “I tell you, I will do it again.”
Hutchinson viewed his recent performance, beating Taylor, as a public statement. While fans are starting to notice his height, Hutchinson says he’s been at this level for years, waiting for the world to catch up.
“These doors have been open for a long time, but one of the reasons is that everyone can see them now,” he said.
He added that he didn’t need to get out of second gear in his latest outing, saying he was in control throughout the fight and could have done more if needed.
“I hit 10 rounds with my hands down, the man couldn’t hit me, I was just having fun.”
By calling Buatsi immediately, Hutchinson bypassed the “safe” options. He doesn’t see replay as gambling. Instead, he sees it as a necessary correction in his history.
This aggressive stance puts the ball firmly in Buatsi’s court. With Hutchinson claiming to be flying a different plane, the boxing world is watching to see if Buatsi is willing to turn it around and end the score for good.
The version of Buatsi we saw last year looks more vulnerable than the one that beat Hutchinson. Buatsi scored in his first defeat in a fight against Callum Smith in February 2025. Smith’s power and accuracy seemed to take him out, and he lacked his usual sharpness.
In Buatsi’s last fight against Zach Parker in November 2025, which he won by a 10-round decision, it looks like he lost something in his game.
Many fans and pundits felt that Parker had done enough to win, and Buatsi’s decision was met with heavy pressure in Manchester. Buatsi looked sluggish as he struggled with Parker’s movements. Three straight 10-12 round fights against Smith, Parker, and Hutchinson is a lot of miles in 18 months.
Hutchinson’s biggest advantage now is energy and youth. Since his loss to Buatsi, he has scored a TKO win over Mark Jeffers and outlasted Ezra Taylor without getting out of second gear.
While Buatsi has been involved in controversial decisions and physical fights, Hutchinson has been refining his game and remaining untouched. If they fight again in late 2026, Hutchinson may be holding the “dark” version of the man who dumped him twice.
