Why Justis Huni axed his father as his boxing coach

After four years as a professional, Justis Huni is ranked in the top 15 with the IBF and WBO, and is ready to take the next step in his career. But first he had to make a brutal choice.

Justis Huni is back in action on Wednesday night. (Image/Josh Woning)

Six weeks ago, Justis Huni sat down with his dad and trainer, Rocki, and had one of the toughest conversations they’ve ever had.

At 10-0 after four years as a professional, Huni is ranked in the top 15 with the IBF and WBO and is ready to take the next step in his path towards a world title shot.

It’s a step Rocki won’t be taking as Justis’ trainer though.

After a few deep breaths, Justis told his dad he’d be going back to his amateur coach, Mark Wilson, as he prepares to face Leandro Robutti in Brisbane on Wednesday.

The decision to part ways with his dad was more than a boxing one.

“It was a hard decision, but it had to be taken,” Huni tells this masthead.

“I’m no longer with my old man, and it’s a decision I wanted to make to build mine and my father’s relationship.

Huni hitting pads with his dad, Rocki in 2022. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“My whole life, with me and my dad, it’s just been boxing, boxing, boxing.

“We haven’t really ever had time to just be father and son.

“We’d go to training, then, because I was still living with mum and dad, we’d go home and it was all just boxing. There was no separation.

“I always had that coach-athlete kind of relationship with my dad, and I just wanted to have that separation, so I had to change trainers.”

In Wilson, the 25-year-old has reconnected with the man who has guided so many rising talents to amateur success.

And his relationship with his dad has never been better.

“I’m so happy I did it,” he says. “Now I feel like I can spend proper time with my dad and have conversations that don’t always lead back to boxing.

“We can just have father-son conversations.

“It’s just so much better, so much more relaxing. Whenever we’re hanging out, I’m not having to think whether it’s going to lead back to boxing.

“I can just go and chill and not worry about boxing.

“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Huni says he’s going back to his old style this Wednesday. Picture: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing via Getty Images

After a frustrating few years ruined by injury, the split with his dad also stemmed from Huni wanting to take more control over his career.

Before now, Rocki handled most of the minor details of his son’s career, even down to what music he walked out to.

Justis has since moved into his own place, and is taking a more hands on approach to his craft.

That includes moving away from the idea that he must start “sitting down on his punches and knock everyone out.

“I want to get back to what I was known for when I first started getting recognised – when I first had that hype,” he says. “And that was using my footwork, having speed and breaking my opponent down.

“It’s not about having that one punch power. People liked my style before, but I changed it a lot over the past few years.

“I started listening to other people and tried to give the fans what they want.

“But that wasn’t me. On the inside, it didn’t feel comfortable.”

It has been a frustrating few years for Huni. Picture: Getty Images

At 25, Huni is one of the next generation of heavyweights who will take over from today’s ageing champions, including Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.

Huni would be further along in his development, but persistent injuries dating back to his 2021 win over Paul Gallen that ultimately saw him miss the Tokyo Olympics, have slowed his progress.

There were rumours Huni could be thrown in with IBF world champion, and fellow Next Gen heavyweight Daniel Dubois in February, but that honour will go to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker.

But Huni is adamant he’ll get there eventually.

“I want to have this fight with Robutti, then fight three or four times next year,” he says. “I want to stay busy – even if it’s with smaller fights – because it’s been very slow in the last few years.

“I just want to get back to being active, because I feel like I’m getting forgotten in Australian boxing a little bit.

“I want to rebuild myself in Australia, then go from there.

“When the time comes for the guys at the top to move on, and when they start to retire, I’ll be ready for those moments.”

Originally published as Why Justis Huni axed his father as his boxing coach