Willy Hutchinson v Craig Richards - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainer & professional boxing records

Willy Hutchinson and Craig Richards collide in an intriguing all-British light-heavyweight showdown in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, and ahead of the dust-up we take a look at how the two fighters stack-up.

While there may be more illustrious match-ups on this weekend's Queensberry v Matchroom card, no fight encapsulates the rivalry between promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren better than Willy Hutchinson (11/10) against Craig Richards (8/11).

For far too long, the two men refused to work together - starving the British public of numerous mammoth domestic dust-ups.

But times have seemingly changed, with this fight, the only all-British affair on the card, being precisely the type of bout which politics have prevented over the years.

But which fighter will prove they belong at world-level?

It's time to take a look at the 'Tale of the Tape'…

Willy Hutchinson v Craig Richards
Tale of the Tape

	Willy Hutchinson	Craig Richards
Odds:	11/10	8/11
Age:	25	33
Nickname:	'Braveheart'	'Spider'
Height:	6ft 1ins	6ft 1ins
Reach:	72ins	74ins
Weight:	Light-heavyweight	Light-heavyweight
Trainer:	Mirko Wolf	Shane McGuigan
Record:	17-1 (13 KOs)	18-3-1 (11 KOs)
Last Fight:	Won - (TKO) - Martin Houben (March 2024)	Won (TKO) - Boris Crighton (February 2024)

Willy Hutchinson
In Profile

Of all the fighters on the bill, Willy Hutchinson is the wildcard.

While Austin Williams and Hamza Sheeraz are at similar stages in their careers to Hutchinson, each have established that they are contenders, opposed to prospects.

The same cannot be said for the Scotsman.

‘Braveheart’ has faced relatively modest competition in his six-and-a-half-year career. The one credible boxer Hutchinson has faced was Lennox Clarke, back in 2021.

That clash was for the British super-middleweight title, but the opportunity was a case of too much, too soon, for the Scot.

After a bright start, Hutchinson wilted under the Englishman’s educated pressure, as he was halted in the fifth round.

Perhaps there is some mitigation for the defeat, as immediately afterwards, the switch-hitter moved up to 175lbs and has since looked more robust.

Despite the loss, promoter Frank Warren still believes his charge can challenge for world honours and ‘Braveheart’ has shown flashes of the talent which won him gold at the 2016 Youth World Championships, as an amateur, albeit at a lower level.

While Hutchinson is still too easy to hit, he demonstrated a solid chin against Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna as well as his dangerous offensive arsenal.

The Argentinian entered in a rich vein of form, having stopped Karl Itauma, four months previously. Yet, the Carstairs native demonstrated his class, scoring two knockdowns en-route to a fourth-round victory.

Is Hutchinson a flat-track bully or world class prospect?

Presently, it is impossible to tell, but the answer will be clear after the Richards fight.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Hand-speed	Keeps his hands low
Power	Holds his chin too high
Fast starter	Porous defence
Well-schooled	Loads up on his punches

Craig Richards
In Profile

Craig Richards is generally considered to be a world-level fighter, despite having never defeated anyone above British level.

It is an unusual situation.

‘Spider’ has performed admirably in losing efforts against WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol and, Olympic bronze medallist, Joshua Buatsi.

Those displays in defeat proved the Londoner is capable of mixing it in elite company, but he has found opportunities hard to come by of late.

After years of working with Peter Sims, the former British light-heavyweight champion has linked up with Shane McGuigan, who is regarded as one of the best trainers in the country.

Perhaps the partnership could be the catalyst required for the 33-year-old to, at long last, secure a high-level win.

In the past, Richards has been competitive in most rounds, but often found himself out-worked, or out-hustled. It is imperative he does not allow that to happen against Hutchinson, who is a fast starter and a fighter who thrives of his own success.

Victory on the such a grand platform could see Richards catapulted into the world title picture as Bivol and Artur Beterbiev battle it out to crown an undisputed ruler in a rearranged bout later this year.

Richards will hope his experience will give him the edge, but he will need to be wary, as the Scotsman will be dangerous, particularly in the early stages.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Use of feints	Head falls over the front foot
Jab	Keeps his chin too high
Applies pressure well	Can be backed onto the ropes
Body shots	Has been outworked in the past

All odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.