Willy Hutchinson believes he is Scotland's best-kept secret because he sounds English. The 28-year-old from Carstairs will be crowned world champion on Saturday if he beats Joshua Buatsi in their rematch in Manchester.
The light-heavyweight lost to Buatsi two years ago, but successive wins since have set up a sequel. Winning would end Scotland's wait for a successor to Josh Taylor, who lost his world titles in 2023 and retired last year.
Recognition north of the border
Picking up the WBC belt might finally bring Hutchinson recognition in his home country. "I am more known in England than in my own country," he said. "It's probably because I sound English; but I was born in Livingston and lived in Lanark all my life until two years ago when I bought a place in Carlisle. Me and my dad bought a massive bit of land and we're building houses on it."
He added: "He was born in Newcastle and my mum is from Darlington, so I sound like a Geordie, but my grannies and grandads on both sides are from Edinburgh. I'm from a Travelling background and I was brought up with my family on a caravan park on a big farm. It's now one of Britain's biggest chalet parks, there are around 100 of us. I have 30 or 40 first cousins and we all lived on the same place and always had each other, although I was away boxing all the time."
From amateur glory to professional struggles
Hutchinson was Scotland's first amateur boxing world champion when he won gold in Russia a decade ago. But he has found life harder as a professional and lost his challenge for the British and Commonwealth titles in 2021.
He has also struggled to settle with previous coaches in Sheffield and London. He has now reunited with former trainer Mirko Wolf and has been based in Malaga ahead of the biggest fight of his life. That has meant missing the first few months of his daughter Lovella's life.
Family sacrifice and title ambition
"I have a very good set-up," he added. "The gym and everything I need is in the house so I don't really need to leave to be honest. I was there for five months and it was very tough being away from my wife and daughter. I've seen my baby for three months out of the nine since she was born. She's the spit out of my mouth, I'm not kidding."
"I've had a few ups and downs in my life but having a baby has definitely changed me; I'm more mature now. I'm quite content with myself now and this is my time to shine. Becoming world champion will mean everything; it's 19 years of sacrifice coming down to one night."
