Joshua Buatsi has relocated to the United States to train under the watchful eye of Virgil Hunter. 

The unbeaten light-heavyweight believes Hunter, who guided Andre Ward and worked with Amir Khan, can help take his promising pro career to the next level.

Explaining his decision to trade London for California, 27-year-old Buatsi told Sky Sports: "He [Hunter] is very strategic, he says just enough. He is very, very positive and optimistic.

"If I don't get something right straight away, it's not the end of the world. He has the right mindset.

"The public haven't seen how good I can be or will be.

"I want to unlock the potential I have got. This addition to the team will 100 per cent bring the best out of me."

Taking inspiration from Ward

Ward retired in 2017 with a proud 32-fight unbeaten record having won world titles at super-middleweight and light-heavy.

And Buatsi (pictured above) wants to tap into the knowledge Hunter put to such good use during the 37-year-old American’s hugely successful career.

The former Croydon resident added: "Ward got to the highest level and achieved everything and is someone who operated at my weight.

"But it's mainly the style I like. Each of Hunter’s fighters translate it differently.

"Ward messaged me to ask where I'm living, where I'm staying. Last time I was here, he came to see me."

I want to unlock the potential I have got. This addition to the team will 100 per cent bring the best out of me Joshua Buatsi

Buatsi met Hunter before Anthony Joshua collided with Andy Ruiz Jr for the first time.

He said: "When Joshua fought Ruiz Jr in New York, I met Virgil. 

"I said, 'I'll come and train with you one day', in the sense that I would learn some bits and pieces then go back. That's where it ended, in June 2019.

"Souleymane Cissokho works with Virgil but we are managed by the same people, 258 Management. My team said to Virgil that I'm ready to come out.

"I came out after my last fight, after the swelling went down, in October 2020 for six weeks. It was new to me but I learned so much.

"I went home to assess and concluded it's something that needs to be added to my game. This is an addition I needed."

Buatsi, who has won all 13 of his outings since joining the paid ranks in 2017, is expected to return to the ring in May.