Willy Hutchinson reckons he's 'too good' for upcoming opponent as Scottish boxing star sets world title timeframe

Scottish boxing star Willy Hutchinson is supremely confident that a win on the blockbuster "5v5" bill in Saudi Arabia on June 1 will edge him closer to becoming the light-heavyweight champion of the world.

The Carstairs fighter has hit the jackpot after landing a spot on the stacked show, with leading promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren pitting five of their best fighters against each other on the undercard of the stellar undisputed light-heavyweight world title showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dimitry Bivol.

Hutchinson, who has recently stepped up to the 175 pound division from super-middleweight, will take on Englishman Craig Richards (22-3) in a huge domestic dust-up in the Middle East. Since suffering his only professional loss to Lennox Clarke for the British and Commonwealth titles back in March 2021, the 25-year-old has registered four straight victories to take his record to 18-1. Hutchinson's most recent triumph came less than a month ago, when he claimed a stoppage win against German fighter Martin Houben inside two rounds at York Hall, London on March 22.

The 2016 Youth World Championships gold medalist respects upcoming opponent Richards, who fought for the WBA light-heavyweight world title in 2021 but believes he is simply levels above the Croydon boxer. Speaking to Boxing News' Youtube channel, he said: "He's a good durable fighter, but a good durable fighter is not good enough to beat me."

Hutchinson is confident that a win on June 1 will edge him closer to a world title shot, which he believes only ends in him lifting the belts. He added: "I'll be a world champion within 12 months, 100 per cent.

"Everything is going good. I am still developing and will keep developing more and more and more. It's