Aussie monster Justis Huni makes boxing history on pro debut
A new heavyweight star has been born with Australia’s great hope Justis Huni pulling off an incredible first on debut.
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We may have witnessed the birth of a new heavyweight boxing contender after Justis Huni won the Australian title in his very first professional fight.
Fighting Faiga Opelu, who came into the fight with a 13-1-1 record, the 21-year-old put on a masterclass performance as he lived up to the hype.
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Huni, an amateur star, is still eligible to fight at the Olympics next year despite his professional turn as Olympic regulations allow up to 10 pro fights.
He made history as the first fighter at any weight to win an Australian title on debut.
Fighting on the undercard of Jai Opetaia’s cruiserweight bout with Ben Kelleher in Brisbane, the expectation behind Huni was already massive with the youngster believed to have the talent to be Australia’s best ever heavyweight.
Huni was dominant, rocking the defending champion with some massive uppercuts.
By the seventh round, Huni had left Opelu bloodied and his team threw in the towel.
“What an achievement,” Ted Cofie said.
Ben Damon said: “History has been made in Brisbane and Justis Huni had to work for it.”
Post-fight, Huni took a moment to soak in what he had just achieved.
“Mate, it’s amazing,” he told Fox Sports’ Brenton Speed.
“To be here, to be able to fight for the Australian title on debut, I couldn’t have done it without my team and my sponsors. I want to thank ‘Django’ and his team for this opportunity.
“We trained for this, we trained very hard for this so we’re ready for whatever.”
Huni also dedicated the fight to his great uncle who passed away last month.
It was an impressive performance considering the expectation and the quality of opponent for his professional debut. Huni was also brave enough to take a 10-round fight in his first outing where most debutants only attempt four or six.
“I’ve fought on international levels in amateur ranks so I’m used to fighting in front of big crowds, so it came natural,” he said.
Justis Huni, oh mama. That kid looks the real deal
— Brent Read (@brentread_7) October 22, 2020
History is made: Justis Huni the first man to win an Australian boxing title on pro debut. Defeats heavyweight champ Opelu via 7th round TKO. Huni showed great speed, durability and skills from range and in close
— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) October 22, 2020
In the main event Opetaia taught Ben Kelleher a lesson in their WBO and IBF Intercontinental Cruiserweight Title bout.
While Opetaia didn’t have his greatest fight, a round six flurry left Kelleher only able to defend until the referee called the fight as the towel was thrown in.
Before the fight night, Huni and Opetaia were already floating a potential fight down the track.
“When that fight does happen, it will be the biggest fight in Australia,” Opetaia said. “I reckon me and this guy can create history.
“But in saying that, I’ve got a lot of boxes to tick in the cruiserweight division first, and he’s got a lot of boxes to tick in the heavyweight division.
“We’ve still got a big journey ahead of us before that fight does happen, but it’s awesome we get to make history together.”
‘HORRIFIC’ INJURY ROCKS FIGHT NIGHT
Earlier on the card, Queensland boxer Benjamin Hussain fought up to five rounds with a broken jaw before the doctor called the fight off.
In the second round, Hussain’s mouthguard flew out of his mouth after a huge left hook.
From that point on, he couldn’t close his mouth as blood poured from what was originally believed to have been a wound on his tongue.
But as the fight continued, it became clear the injury was worse than first believed with Hussain’s corner heard discussing if it was a broken jaw.
The doctor stepped in in the sixth round to Hussain’s protest, calling the fight off.
“Your jaw is broken mate. I mean it’s badly broken, we’ve got to stop it,” the doctor said.
Fox Sports boxing commentator Damon called the injury “horrific”.
“What we think we saw with his mouth did not look good. We thought it might have been a cut tongue or laceration inside the mouth. But it is a broken jaw and with that being said, Benjamin Hussain has shown he’s otherworldly tough,” Damon said.
“He’s gone through the vast majority of this fight with what appears to be a very, very badly damaged mouth and jaw.”
CARD RESULTS
WBO and IBF Intercontinental Cruiserweight Title - Jai Opetaia vs. Benjamin Kelleher - TKO, Round 6
Australian Heavyweight Title - Justis Huni defeated Faiga Opelu - TKO, Round 7
Queensland Lightweight Title - Miles Zalewski defeated Kyle Freiberg - TKO, Round 6
Ben Mahoney defeated Benjamin Hussain - TKO, Round 6
Clay AJ Waterman defeated Dane Mulivai - TKO, Round 1
Ben Horn defeated Jed Ariens - Unanmous decision
Originally published as Aussie monster Justis Huni makes boxing history on pro debut