Justis Huni wins Australian heavyweight title in professional debut as Jai Opetaia wins 20th fight in a row
Justis Huni showed why he is the most hyped Aussie heavyweight in decades with a beautiful and brutal destruction of national champion Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu in his first professional fight. WATCH THE VIDEO.
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Justis Huni says he can conquer the world after the Queensland monster made a stunning arrival by claiming the Australian heavyweight title in his professional debut on Thursday night.
Huni’s superb emergence came as fellow Aussie Jai Opetaia (20-0, 16KO), continued his march to a world title with a sixth-round TKO of Ben Kelleher at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall.
Opetaia-Kelleher was the main event but it was impossible to ignore the gargantuan statement made by Huni, who won bronze as an amateur at last year’s world championships.
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The 21-year-old is the most hyped Australian heavyweight in decades and he showed why with a beautiful and brutal destruction of Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu.
In his maiden pro outing, the 108kg, 190cm hulk was too slick, quick and technical as he rocked Opelu with a fusion of pace and power to record a seventh-round stoppage.
Defending champion Opelu (13-1-1, 10KO) is one tough customer but not even his chin of granite could handle Huni, who was simply on another level.
He sliced and diced Django with vicious lefts and rights, combinations, searing uppercuts and even switched stance at will before Opelu’s corner threw in the towel.
Not since Alex Leapai in 2014 has Australia unearthed a possible world-title contender and Brisbane-born Huni is adamant he has the skill set to go all the way.
“100 per cent I can win a world title, but I have a long way to go,” said Huni, who dedicated the win to his late uncle Manu, who died last month.
“It feels bloody amazing to win the Australian title on debut.
“That was only a little bit of my skills, I have a lot more to show the world.
“This is only the beginning. You will be seeing a lot more of me.”
Meanwhile, Opetaia was superb, overcoming a sore left hand to post his 20th straight win with his second defeat of Kiwi Kelleher in two years.
The classy cruiserweight dominated Kelleher, rocking him with a vicious right in the sixth before a volley of punches prompted his rival’s corner to throw in the towel.
“My hand is a bit sore but it’s fine,” Opetaia said.
“I’m happy I got the finish, I knew it would come.
“The world title is always on my mind.
“I want to win a few world titles as a cruiserweight then move up to heavyweight.
“I can handle myself with the heavyweights, I will put on good muscle and strength, I will back myself against anyone.
“I hit hard. Because I don’t throw big bombs, people don’t think I hit hard, but people feel my punches.
“Everyone thinks they can bully me and walk me down. But as Mike Tyson says, everyone has a game plan until they get hit in the face.”
Originally published as Justis Huni wins Australian heavyweight title in professional debut as Jai Opetaia wins 20th fight in a row