Buatsi vs Hutchinson 2 Prediction, Odds & Best Bets
By Jaren Kawada in Boxing
Published:
- Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson run it back two years after fighting to a split decision in London
- The vacant WBC light heavyweight title fight headlines a Queensberry Promotions event from the AO Arena in Manchester
- Check out the best analysis, predictions and bets for the top fights of Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson 2 below
Two years after their 12-round duel for the vacant WBO interim light heavyweight title, Joshua Buatsi (20-1) and Willy Hutchinson (20-2) re-engage in the ring under nearly identical circumstances. This time, the rematch will be for the vacant WBC 175-pound title in Manchester.
Since beating Hutchinson in 2024, Buatsi lost the WBO interim title in his next fight to Callum Smith. He rebounded with a tight win over Zach Parker in his last outing, setting the table for the anticipated rematch with his countryman rival.
Hutchinson has gone 2-0 since his loss to Buatsi, knocking off Mark Jeffers and Ezra Taylor to earn the redemption opportunity. The former multi-time amateur champion is now 7-1 since 2022.
Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson 2 Odds
Odds as of Nov. 7, 2026, on bet365 Sportsbook. Check out the best boxing apps in 2026 to place a wager.
Despite winning the first fight, Buatsi finds himself a +110 underdog to the younger Hutchinson in the rematch. Hutchinson’s moneyline price gives him an implied win probability of 60 percent.
Jack Rafferty is a -1600 favorite over Hovhannes Martirosyan in the co-main event, making him the biggest favorite on the main card. Rafferty’s line implies a 94 percent win probability.
A light heavyweight contest between Bradley Rea and Ezra Taylor is the closest-lined fight on the card, with Taylor a narrow -115 favorite, and Rea coming back at -110.
Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson Prediction
After a slow start, Joshua Buatsi dominated the second half of the last fight with Willy Hutchinson, scoring two knockdowns, while ‘The Hutch Train’ lost an additional point for leading with his head. However, it is fair to reason that without those three moments, Hutchinson would have won the decision.
Regardless of the outcome, each half of the fight was concerning for both men. Slow starts have become a pattern for Buatsi, who continues to struggle against superior footwork and movement, both of which Hutchinson possesses.
Conversely, Buatsi’s late surge was a massive issue for Hutchinson, who showed a clear vulnerability to the former’s body shots. It is another red flag that Hutchinson continues to insist he has not changed anything about his approach, seemingly banking on his belief that the 33-year-old Buatsi is over the hill.
The end of the first fight would convince anybody that Buatsi is a better fighter than Hutchinson. He has a better jab, more power and his combinations clearly deal more damage. But his lackluster performances in a loss to Callum Smith and a near-loss to Zach Parker will raise uncomfortable questions about his longevity, especially considering his go-for-broke style.
Buatsi could always turn it around late again, but I like the awkward Hutchinson to exorcise his demons and out-point Buatsi across 12 rounds.
- Boxing Picks: Willy Hutchinson Moneyline (-150 on bet365)
Jack Rafferty vs. Hovhannes Martirosyan Best Bet
The biggest fight of Jack Rafferty’s career comes against Hovhannes Martirosyan in the Buatsi-Hutchinson 2 co-main event. Martirosyan’s power is always a threat for any welterweight, but the style matchup still gives ‘The Demolition Man’ an excellent window of opportunity.
Martirosyan’s power is effectively only dangerous in one aspect of the game. He sits down and throws with ill intent in the pocket, but his stagnant feet make it difficult for him to track down moving targets.
Rafferty’s footwork is arguably his best attribute, making him a headache for Martirosyan on paper. Although coined as ‘The Demolition Man,’ Rafferty is an excellent boxer on the outside and picks his shots wisely while avoiding interior power threats.
Martirosyan has very little defense, but Rafferty would be wise to avoid exchanging in the middle, at least not until the Belgian starts fading in the later rounds.
- Boxing Picks: Over 7.5 Rounds (-125 on bet365)
Bradley Rea vs. Ezra Taylor Prediction
Bradley Rea owns a slight size advantage over Ezra Taylor, but it likely will not matter. Rea fights with the same grueling pace and pressure against every opponent he shares the ring with.
While Rea’s pressure, speed and power has been a double-edged sword at times, costing him a loss to Lyndon Arthur, it has been a lethal recipe resulting in 11 knockdowns in his last eight fights.
Taylor is a better boxer than Rea, fighting behind a stiff jab and superior footwork. However, Taylor’s defense has been a recurring issue, and he has never faced anything like Rea’s pressure. As the one typically bringing the action while moving forward, the 32-year-old is not the same fighter off his back foot.
In what could be the most competitive and action-packed fight of the day, I like Rea’s constant activity and crisp combination work to be the difference.
- Boxing Picks: Bradley Rea Moneyline (-110 on bet365)
Jaren Kawada is a combat sports betting analyst for Sports Betting Dime, pairing his working knowledge as a former amateur boxer transitioning to MMA with his decade-long journalism experience. Jaren is also an avid and dedicated NFL, NBA and college sports handicapper.
