RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 8: Australia’s Justis Huni fights South Africa’s Kevin Lerena throughout their heavyweight bout at Kingdom Enviornment on March 8, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Britain’s Anthony Joshua is preventing Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou as the primary occasion. (Picture by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing by way of Getty Pictures)
Heavyweight prospect Justis Huni ought to have been celebrating after his final win.
The 25-year-old former newbie standout from Brisbane, Australia had simply claimed the largest scalp of his profession, outboxing Kevin Lerena over 10 rounds to win a unanimous choice victory on the ‘Knockout Chaos’ promotion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 8.
Boxing down the cardboard, Huni was mixing in good firm. The headline bout featured former two-time heavyweight titleholder Anthony Joshua dealing with ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, whereas within the semi-main a heavyweight bout of consequence happened between Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
The highlight was firmly on the heavyweight division, and a powerful displaying by Huni would have the boxing world speaking about how far the 2019 World Championships bronze medalist may go within the execs.
However an odd factor occurred within the final spherical of the Lerena combat. A counter left cross from the South African southpaw halfway by way of the ultimate spherical left Huni staggering backwards throughout the ring on his heels. Huni coated up, moved and smothered. And he heard the ultimate bell.
The boxing world did begin speaking. About Huni’s chin. About his relative lack of energy. And about his protection.
Spurred on by the criticism, Huni headed again to gymnasium decided to enhance his total recreation. The six-foot-four, 240-pounds Huni has made his energy a selected focus of this retooling.
In three weeks time Huni will get the possibility to unveil the brand new and improved model of himself when he takes on Troy Pilcher (9-0-1, 7 KOs) over 10 rounds on the Fortitude Music Corridor in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane on July 25.
“There was an enormous change in my fashion, however you’ll simply have to attend and see on the twenty fifth of July. I’m look ahead to placed on an thrilling efficiency,” stated Huni (9-0, 4 KOs) to the media throng on the Brisbane occasion on Tuesday to formally announce the combat.
“That is heavyweight boxing. The followers, the folks, they wish to see knockouts. So I’m seeking to change my fashion and produce much more pleasure to what I already convey… He’s going to come back to knock me out and I’m going to come back to knock him out. That is the sport.”
It has not simply been his energy that Huni has been engaged on, but additionally shoring up his protection whereas urgent ahead on the assault. Consider a younger Mike Tyson.
“I’ve carried out plenty of work on my protection,” Huni admitted. “This new fashion, it’s going to be very thrilling. I’ve labored on all of these issues. I bought hit within the final spherical of my final combat and I don’t wish to undergo that once more, so protection has been an enormous factor that we’ve been engaged on.”
Requested why he felt the necessity to change what was already an efficient fashion, Huni stated he desires to place extra bums on seats and that early finishes are the easiest way to try this.
“I simply wish to convey extra pleasure to my combat recreation,” stated Huni, who hopes to bins twice extra this 12 months after the Pilcher bout. “I wish to begin knocking guys out. Like I stated, that is heavyweight boxing. I’m not going to cease anyone boxing off the backfoot. I’ve carried out plenty of work and it’s coming alongside properly.”
New Zealand-born Pilcher, who fights out of the Gold Coast in Queensland, would appear to be the right sort of opponent to check out his new fashion on. The large-punching Pilcher is taking a step up in school and aside from his eight-round draw in opposition to Haze Hepi two years in the past, he has by no means boxed past six. This might be his first bout scheduled for 10 rounds.
“I’m grateful to Troy and his crew for agreeing to this combat,” stated Huni, who’s returning to the identical venue the place he received the Australian heavyweight title in his skilled debut 4 years in the past.
“It’s not a simple combat. Each combat I am going into is a troublesome combat. I’m not wanting previous my opponent. I’m simply wanting ahead to being again right here and performing in entrance of a house crowd.
“I don’t assume I’ve crossed paths with him earlier than, however I’ll do my research on him. I do know he’s bought an excellent fuel tank, an excellent proper hand, however I’ll be ready for no matter he’s bought to convey, similar to every other combat that I’ve been in earlier than.”
Pilcher himself admits that he has by no means confronted anybody with the category of Huni.
“For me, that is what all this difficult work is for. I’ve had a few common fights and I’ve taken a lot of powerful ones as properly. That is the subsequent couple of steps up,” Pilcher stated.
“This can be a large alternative, not only for myself however for my sponsors, my coach, my household, all of us. So now I get to showcase these expertise I’ve and show that I belong up right here with the highest boys.”
The Huni versus Pilcher combat will prime a tasty wanting six-fight invoice that may even embody Australian mild heavyweight champion Lucas Miller (12-6-2, 4 KOs) dealing with off in opposition to former newbie star Clay Waterman (12-1, 9 KOs) over 10 frames within the co-feature. The cardboard might be broadcast reside on DAZN.
“We’re thrilled to convey such a high-stakes combat to Brisbane and doing it with Matchroom Boxing and Gold Star Promotions is groundbreaking for Australian boxing,” stated Mick Francis of Tasman Fighters.
“Justis Huni’s return marks a big second for Australian boxing and with Troy Pilcher entering into the ring, followers can count on nothing in need of an unforgettable night time.”
Huni has been moved by way of the professional ranks shortly thus far, so maybe a slight step again in opposition like this may profit his skilled growth. Each combat proper now could be a studying expertise, and the Lerena scrap was no exception.
“Simply to push by way of, to remain up. That’s what makes you higher,” Huni stated of his key takeaways from that bout 4 months in the past.
“There was one factor going by way of my head after I bought hit. It was that saying from that Rocky film: ‘It’s not about how arduous you get hit, it’s about how a lot you’ll be able to take and maintain transferring ahead’.
“So I took that punch and I stored going to the tip.”
