Hutchinson’s journey towards a world title gathered steam with an impressive points victory over Craig Richards in Riyadh in June.

Buatsi, 31, has won all of his 18 professional contests – 13 by stoppage – but there is a sense the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist has yet to fulfil his potential.

Hutchinson believes his youth and hunger can prove decisive in the ring.

“Buatsi, I believe, thinks he’s better than he is,” said the Carstairs fighter.

“He’s a very good man, he’s a very good boxer and he can fight very, very good. And if it wasn’t for me being in his way he’d become a world champion.

“He’s 31 years old – I turned 26 a week ago. He’s had the same amount of fights as me and he’s 31.

“The man isn’t as hungry as he was three or four years ago. When he won the Olympic medal, I became amateur world champion.

“He’s been tipped for massive things, but he’s 31 years old. If he was 28, 29 years old and he was where he is now, then fair enough, but he’s an old man.

“Once we get in the middle of the ring, that’s when the truth will come out.”