There's an even greater incentive for Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson to prevail in their high-stakes domestic rematch later this year after the WBC put their 'interim' light-heavyweight title on the line.
The news means the victor will put themselves into mandatory position for a crack at full champion David Benavidez in what would be a hugely lucrative showdown in 2027.
Buatsi and Hutchinson are running back their 2024 classic in Manchester on November 7th, with Buatsi hoping to replicate his victory the first time around to further cement his credentials within the stacked 175lbs division.
The Croydon-based operator prevailed by a split-decision to capture the interim WBO belt, but saw his hopes of landing a glamour clash with Dmitry Bivol fall by the wayside after being beaten by Callum Smith in an absolute humdinger a few months later.
Buatsi had lobbied for a rematch with the Liverpudlian and whilst progress was initially made on that front, Smith subsequently pulled out of talks after being granted a shot at the once-beaten Russian, Bivol.
It subsequently paved the way for a much-anticipated sequel with Hutchinson; a fight which now boasts even greater significance.
"Hutchinson is a young fighter. He said we were gonna run it back two years ago, so here we are," Buatsi said recently.
"Something's at stake [the WBC interim title]. If nothing was at stake, I wouldn't be here … This is what was put in front of me."
Londoner Buatsi heads into the fight as the narrow odds-on favourite after inflicting a first pro defeat upon the talented Scotsman, Hutchinson, via a majority decision in September 2024.
However, he has since bounced back with successive wins over Mark Jeffers and Ezra Taylor, and now fancies his chances of righting the wrongs of what was an incredibly painful night at Wembley Stadium.
"In the changing rooms, I said, 'I'm gonna get ya,' and it took me two years, and now we're here," Hutchinson told Buatsi at the launch press conference.
"I'm gonna win. I'm gonna win this time around – simple."
