When thinking about the Matchroom vs. Queensberry 5-on-5 event, boxing fans widely assumed that every bout on the card was a 50/50 contest — that is, everything except the light heavyweight showdown.
Of course, the Dmitry Bivol (23-0) vs. Malik Zinad (22-1) match didn't count, because Zinad was an opponent at the last moment in a match that wasn't technically considered five-on-five.
This leads us to the Matchroom vs. Queensberry matchup between Craig “Spider” Richards (18-4-1) and Willie “Braveheart” Hutchinson (18-1). In the build-up to the fight, Hutchinson was said to be nervous or uneasy, a stark contrast to the sharp and agile Richards.
Besides these pre-fight antics, many have suggested age and experience will be key deciding factors, with Richards approaching his prime and Hutchinson with far less pro experience.
But Hutchinson is one of Scotland's most decorated amateur boxers and on June 1 his pedigree was clear.
And with the start of a historic card looming, and the world rooting for “The Spider” as he fought to the end alongside Bivol and Joshua Buatsi (18-0), Hutchinson had to make a statement.
From the moment the opening bell rang, it was clear this was something of a showdown, with Hutchinson overwhelming Richards with effective switch-hitting and slick, unwavering delivery, leaving Richards little room to land his jab.
“The Spider” tried to spin a web but Hutchinson's switch-hitter confused the older man and he continued to headhunt the fleeing Scotsman.
In the middle rounds, under the strict guidance of his new trainer Shane McGuigan, Richards started to step up a gear and increase his pace, but this took its toll on Hutchinson, who began to tire under the pressure.
But in the deciding round, Hutchinson fought back with sudden strength and stamina, his relentless combinations again turning “The Spider” into a docile creature, denying Richards the pressure punches that had been so successful in the middle rounds.
It was a very entertaining fight, with both fighters quite shaken, but Hutchinson dominated all but a few rounds. Many expected Richards to not only win, but to do so by a small margin. But age and experience play a role in other ways. With so much time off and out of action, the older Richards was clearly showing signs of aging against the aggressive, younger Hutchinson.
Hutchinson defeated Richards via unanimous decision after 12 rounds to claim the WBC Silver light heavyweight belt and inched closer to the top of the division.
Thus, the elusive Hutchinson silenced his critics, earned the respect of many and proved his worth at light heavyweight in the process.
