Scotland's Willy Hutchinson, proud of his Ghanaian roots, says peace of mind is his toughest fight as he chases the vacant WBC light-heavyweight crown.
A Scottish fighter with Ghanaian heritage is one win away from world champion status. Willy Hutchinson meets Joshua Buatsi for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title, and he says the hardest part of the job isn't the fighting. It's what comes after.
Hutchinson has been candid about how difficult he finds it to manage his emotions once fight night is over. The adrenaline, the highs and the lows leave him in a rough place, and he admits he has had to learn how to deal with that. Now he says he is finding real happiness and a steadier mindset heading into the biggest night of his career.
The matchup is also a big one for the Ghanaian diaspora in boxing. Buatsi, the Olympic bronze medallist from the 2016 Games, also carries Ghanaian roots, so a world title is going to a fighter with a link to Ghana whichever man has his hand raised. For fans from Accra to Glasgow to London, that makes this a special occasion.
For Hutchinson, the belt would be the crowning moment of a long road, and his improved headspace could prove as valuable as any punch in camp. He has the title shot he wanted. Now he has to show that a calmer mind can bring out the best of his talent against one of the division's most accomplished names.
