Joshua Buatsi praises his team after winning WBO interim world light-heavyweight title

Joshua Buatsi has been quick to praise the toughness of Willy Hutchinson after winning the WBO interim world light-heavyweight title at Wembley on Saturday night.

The Croydon fighter, 31, knocked Hutchinson down twice with body shots.

And Hutchinson was also deducted a point for illegal use of his head.

Somehow one judge marked it 113-112 in favour of the Scot – to the clear bewilderment of Buatsi – but the other two scored it 117-108 and 115-110 for the 2016 Olympian.

It means the South Londoner is now set up to face the winner of the unification clash between Dimitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev on October 12.

“If I didn’t feel ready for them I wouldn’t have taken this fight,” said Buatsi. “It was for the interim title and the winner gets a shot (at the full WBO belt) – so it is very self-explanatory.”

Buatsi has won all 19 bouts since turning professional in 2017, the last four of them going the distance.

“My team – I want to shine the light on them,” he said. “They were fantastic with me. The last two weeks I was a bit weird towards them – I’m forever grateful for the support system that I have got, my family and friends.

“It was two of my best buds’ birthdays in September and I dedicate that win to them.

“Willy was tricky – I have to give him credit. He is a hell of a tough guy. I said to Willy: ‘I wasn’t that good at 25 or 26 – props to you’. When I was hitting him I knew I was hurting him. He fell down twice but he got up every time and came back stronger. I have to take my hat off to him.

“There was a bit of a mad build-up but it was never personal. Now that the fight is over I move on. I was attached to it until I won. Now I move on.”

PICTURE: MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM