Willy Hutchinson world title eliminator in doubt despite being ordered to face Joshua Buatsi

Willy Hutchinson's hopes of edging himself closer to a world title shot appear to have been put on hold after his next opponent suggested he won't be looking to take the fight.

Earlier this month, Scottish boxer Hutchinson was ordered to face undefeated English fighter Joshua Buatsi for the interim WBO light-heavyweight title, with the winner earning a shot against Russian champion Artur Beterbiev for the full world title. It came just days after Hutchinson had secured the best victory of his career, scoring a convincing points win over former world title challenger Craig Richards on the Matchroom v Queensberry 5v5 card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 1.

It was the 25-year-old's 18th victory in his 19 professional bouts, having bounced back from his only defeat against Lennox Clarke in 2021 to rack up five straight wins that have seen him climb up the rankings in the 168 pound division. But a potential showdown between the Carstairs fighter and British light-heavyweight champion Buatsi has been played down by the latter, who has hinted that he wants to face long-time rival Anthony Yarde in a big domestic dust-up instead.

Buatsi praised Richardson for his display against one of his former opponents Richards but appeared to suggest he has his heart set on a bout with two-time world title challenger Yarde because it is what the fans "want to see." Speaking to talkSPORT's Spencer Oliver during the cruiserweight world title dust-up between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakpohre at Selhurst Park on Saturday night, he said: "It was a result that upset me because Spider (Richards) is my guy and I wanted him to win.

"But big up to Hutchinson. It was a fight where I thought Spider would come out on top, so you have got to give it to him.

"Let's get the Yarde fight cracking. The Hutchinson fight also got ordered so there is two options, but I pretty much know what the public and yourself would like to see. There has been a lot of talking and it has been a fight I have been asking for, so let's hope it happens."