Amid some sobering analysis, Virgil Hunter also had some high praise for his charge Joshua Buatsi.

Hunter, the veteran Oakland-based trainer, offered some circumspect words regarding Buatsi’s latest performance in the ring.

The well-regarded British light heavyweight contender won a tough 12-round decision over countryman Craig Richards last month at the O2 Arena in London.

Afterward, in the post-fight presser, Hunter suggested Buatsi was not completely ready to face the likes of undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez and WBA light heavyweight titleholder Dmitry Bivol.

At the same time, Hunter also acknowledged that Buatsi is one of the best fighters he has ever trained. Hunter, in particular, singled out Buatsi’s work ethic, and favored him over more well-known, but less seemingly dedicated, past clients, such as Amir Khan.

“I think at this point he’s the second best fighter I’ve had,” Hunter said. “I’ve had some good fighters. Like Amir, but they weren’t dedicated like Josh.

“I’ll take the dedication that he gives and that’s what makes me excited for training him. So because of his dedication, coming over to the states for five months, that’s a serious sacrifice. I even opened up my home to him because he’s so dedicated.”

Hunter is so keen on the 29-year-old Buatsi (16-0, 13 KOs) that he believes he is second only to Andre Ward, the two-division titlist and Hall of Famer whom Hunter trained from the outset of his career, out of all the fighters he has taken under his wing.

“So I have him second on the list behind Andre,” Hunter said. “Everybody else I trained, good fighters, but [there are] always issues.”

Hunter has trained Andre Berto in the past and currently trains Mario Barrios.

“There are no issues with him,” Hunter said of Buatsi. “Fighters that have a lot of issues I don’t like them. He has no issues. He has straight dedication, determination. He’s a good kid, he’s a solid man. That speaks volumes for him. That’s why I enjoy having him and that’s why I want the best for him.”