It’s now or never for Joshua Buatsi as it pertains to fighting for a world title, according to his promoter.

Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom Boxing, which promotes the 29-year-old light heavyweight contender, believes Buatsi has nowhere else to go but to compete for a world title at this point.

Buatsi is coming off a narrow points win over tough-as-nails British countryman Craig Richards in a competitive 12-round contest at the O2 Arena in London. Some observers felt it was somewhat of a letdown performance for Buatsi, considering his pedigree and perceived potential.

Virgil Hunter, the trainer of Buatsi, seemed to think so, stating after the fight that Buatsi is not quite ready to face the likes of Canelo Alvarez or WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol or WBC, IBF 175-pound champion Artur Beterbiev.

Hearn, however, disagrees to the extent that he believes Buatsi has peaked at the contender level and has no other options than to vie for a title at this juncture.

“Joshau Buatsi made it clear, ‘I want the world championships next,’” Hearn said on The DAZN Boxing Show. “Virgil Hunter, who's obviously the trainer, they’re always a lot more cautious, he was like ‘Well we could win a world title next but I’d like to be a million percent ready and that might be one more fight.’

“But I just don’t see the levels in between Craig Richards and the world championships. If you look at the rankings there isn’t really anyone left that’s going to give you a tougher fight.

"I think Buatsi’s ready.”

With the recent announcement that Canelo Alvarez will be fighting Gennadiy Golovkin in the fall in a trilogy match, that has left an opening for someone to fill in as the opponent for Bivol during the same period. Hearn made it clear he would “love” for Buatsi (to be the challenger that steps up to the Russian titleholder

“Obviously the Canelo situation, if Dmitry is available for a defense in September, October, we’d love that to be Joshua Buatsi as well,” Hearn said. “I think he’s in a great position. He’s an outstanding talent, it’s a tremendous fight, and personally I think he’s ready.”