The first fight of Joshua Buatsi’s partnership with Virgil Hunter was a successful one as the Croydon man blasted out Frances Daniel Dos Santos in four rounds last weekend. Buatsi, long identified as one of Britain’s best prospects, had recruited the California trainer before his most recent fight and it looks like a shrewd move thus far.
Buatsi, who earned his reputations as one of the world’s best cornermen when training Andre Ward, is delighted with Buatsi’s progress up to now. The San Francisco based coach was also in Amir Khan’s corner for a sustained period and after Buatsi’s win over Dos Santos, Hunter identified differences between his new charge and his old one.
“Joshua has a dedication, a focus and a devotion to the sport that Amir didn’t have,” stated Hunter to Boxing Scene. “Amir was everywhere. He had great ability, I tried to get the most out of his ability and enhance it, but there was always something that interfered with that.”
With Buatsi set for a busy 2021 following his weekend heroics, a climb up the 175lbs rankings is surely the 2016 Olympian’s main priority. The business end of the light-heavyweight division is heating up nicely and Hunter believes his man has what it takes to reach that level.
“He definitely has a killer instinct and that is great to see. He is serious when he gets in there. He is going to be tough to beat. I’d love to see him be a belt-holder for a bit. He has the ability. If he gets the right opponent, I’m confident he will beat him.
“I think he has a lot to offer in this division, he brings a lot to the table. No 1 he has hunger, devotion and desire to go a long way. He is a good student, he followed directions on the last punch, that was beautiful to see. We can wish to see great things from him.
“I told him to feint with his eyes. To look down and go up or look up and go down. He chose the first one. He made the jab motion to the body and then went up.”