Willy Hutchinson vs Martin Houben: Betting Odds & Prediction

Willy Hutchinson makes the first defence of his WBC Silver Light-Heavyweight title against Martin Houben this Friday in the York Hall.

Hutchinson will be hoping to cement himself as the mandatory challenger for Joshua Buatsi’s British title with a win. The Scot could earn a shot at the vacant belt if the champion chooses to vacate after a rumoured battle with countryman Anthony Yarde.

Tale of the Tape

Scotland’s Hutchinson (16-1, 12 KOs) heads into the contest on the back of a career-best performance following his fourth-round knockout win against Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna in May last year.

The victory was Hutchinson's third consecutive knockout since his sole pro defeat to Lennox Clarke for the British Super Middleweight title three years ago. Hutchinson heads into the bout with a 75% knockout ratio.

Germany’s Houben (17-2, 10 KOs) is hardly gun-shy himself and has a 59% KO rate, but hasn’t secured a stoppage finish in his last four contests.

Both men have been stopped as professional with Hutchinson stopped by Clarke inside five, while Houben was knocked out by Iago Kiziria in seven rounds back in November 2022.

Prediction

Hutchinson is no doubt the more skilled operator in this contest, having fought at a much higher level as an amateur and professional. The Scot will therefore be out to make a statement victory, but there is little value on offer both on the moneyline and on Hutchinson via decision.

Houben has only been stopped once in 19 contests though, and that came in the second half of the fight versus Kiziria who himself boasts a 71% knockout record. Hutchinson will likely have to break the German down before landing his 13th career win inside the distnace.