RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA -- Highly-esteemed coach Virgil Hunter's conservative approach makes him a divisive figure among some. Carefully guiding a contender to a position where they're not just ready for a world title shot but remain a mainstay at the upper elite level is a tricky task, though unbeaten middleweight prospect Amari Jones has nothing but good words to say about his new trainer.

Hair relaxed into an afro of sorts, headphones on and in his own world, I didn't recognize Jones at first and that's probably how the California-born youngster likes it. He smiles, everyone says the same when not in camp and preemptively begins explaining why he's on Saudi shores as the 22-year-old talent (12-0, 11 KOs) finds himself 8,000 miles away from home. Why?

"Joshua Buatsi is fighting! I've been training in camp alongside and sparring with him also, we have the same trainer so I'm just here to support and here for him to win," he tells The Ring.

On what separates Buatsi from his peers, Jones said: "It's the determination and discipline. Of course, he's got the skills and has continued doing that against the best guys but this fight will show exactly why he belongs. He's patient, understands the game, a lot of guys would just jump into big fights but he's smarter and knows it's a game of inches, when that chance comes, he'll rise to the occasion."

WBO interim light-heavyweight world champion Buatsi (19-0, 13 KOs) aligned with Hunter in the first quarter of 2021 and four years later, remains agonizingly on the cusp of a crack at the full version of championship honors.

He'll defend his interim title against former WBA super-middleweight titleholder Callum Smith (30-2, 22 KOs), though Hunter's reticence to put him forward for a matchup against Dmitry Bivol caused tension and ultimately foreshadowed an unsavory exit from his Matchroom tenure.

Buatsi stuck to his guns and isn't the only British boxer venturing Stateside searching for a different environment away from home comforts. Jones, a decorated amateur at junior-middleweight, quietly immersed himself on the world scene while boxing the likes of Top Rank's talented tandem Xander Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs) and Vito Mielnicki Jr (20-1-1, 12 KOs) in the unpaid ranks.

So, how is Virgil bringing the best teaching and providing a welcome outlook on his future after a well-publicised stint aligned with two-weight world champion Devin Haney, often featuring on the 26-year-old's undercards?

"Oh man, he's a guru and a one-of-a-kind trainer. We just started working together recently, I've known Buatsi for a few years and just seen how he's kept progressing, as well as the others from Virgil's gym, a special man. I'm learning a lot and there is a lot more in his bag to teach us, can't explain but you have to be there to see it really."

A pair of knockout victories, four months apart, was all Jones could show for his 2024 campaign.

Armel Mbumba-Yassa (10-2-1, 8 KOs) had been stopped by Austin 'Ammo' Williams two months prior, while Mexican southpaw Daniel Echeverria shared the ring with Carlos Ocampo, former world title challenger Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Souleymane Cissokho in previous years - though only boxed once since a sixth-round stoppage defeat by the latter in March 2021.

So when you run his resume under the microscope, there's still plenty of work to do as he seeks to make a splash in the 160-pound division before much longer. Sometimes it takes just one opportunity, though surrounding yourself with esteemed company the world over certainly doesn't hurt in the interim.

"2024 was not the norm, I usually aim to be more active but am looking to get back on track in that sense this coming year, hopefully start the year off with some fight news."

He's patiently waiting for a date, the uncomfortable reality for most unsigned prospects. A promotional free agent searching for the right platform to give him an opportunity, the four-year pro describes himself as a diamond in the rough awaiting an opportunity to back up his bullish beliefs.

While there's no substitute for the real thing, it helps that he's got some encouraging sparring experiences to lean on. The first name that comes to mind is British and European titleholder Denzel Bentley (21-3-1, 17 KOs), having held his own against someone he admires in The Ring's No. 10-ranked middleweight.

As for other notable names, he recalls sparring British cruiserweight champion Cheavon Clarke (10-1, 7 KOs), the aforementioned Cissokho (17-0, 9 KOs) and recently-defeated Stephen McKenna (15-1, 14 KOs) among others. When the call comes for him to step-up though, we'll have to wait and see.