Aussie heavyweight Justis Huni has vowed to conquer the biggest ‘monsters’ in boxing world

Written off by critics as too small, heavyweight Justis Huni is taking inspiration from the rise of former cruiserweight Oleksander Usyk ahead of the Aussie’s biggest bout of his career.

Justis Huni says he fears no heavyweight as the Brisbane-born powerhouse vowed to bring down the biggest “monsters” in boxing in his bid to conquer the world.

Less than five years after turning professional, Huni has secured the biggest bout of his career – a showdown with Fabio Wardley for the WBA interim heavyweight world title in England on June 8 (AEST).

Huni’s shot at glory will take place at the home of Ipswich Town FC, a world away from his pro debut before a crowd of around 200 at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall in October 2020.

Justis Huni against Faiga Opelu on professional debut at The Fortitude Music Hall. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

At 193cm and 107kg, Huni has been written off by critics, viewed as too small in boxing’s land of the giants without the brutal knockout power to punch his way to the world-title summit.

But as he prepares to leave Australia this weekend, Huni scoffed at suggestions he is too small, saying the rise of former cruiserweight Oleksander Usyk is evidence he can be heavyweight champion of the world.

If he beats Wardley (18-0-1), Huni (12-0) would be Brisbane’s first-ever world heavyweight king, and just Australia’s second after Lucas Browne shocked Ruslan Chagaev in 2016.

Huni will fight Fabio Wardley for the WBA interim heavyweight world title in England. Picture: Getty Images

“I want to show the world who I am and that I can box,” Huni said.

“He (Wardley) will try and take my head off, but he only has one thing against me and that’s power.

“I’m the better boxer. I have a better ring IQ and I believe I will outbox this guy. I am pretty confident.

“I think Usyk has already shaken-up the heavyweight division with what he has done.

“He is only a small heavyweight but look what he is doing to these monsters who can bang.

“He outboxes them, simple as that.

“These big guys have success when you stand in front of them and try and go toe-to-toe and make it a 50-50 fight.

“You can’t hit what you can’t see. If you aren’t there, they can’t hit you.”

Oleksandr Usyk lands a left on Tyson Fury during the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight titles' fight last December. Picture: Getty Images

Despite being undefeated, Huni has at times undergone an identity crisis.

Before his fight against Kiki Toa Leutele in November 2022, Huni tried to change his style, vowing to be more aggressive in his quest for greater knockout power.

But after almost being stopped by Leutele in a 10-round slugfest, Huni reverted to what he does best.

His point of difference is his lightning speed and silky movement. The 26-year-old is arguably the fastest heavyweight in world boxing.

It’s that speed and sublime skill, plus his fine amateur pedigree, that gives Huni confidence he can dispose of any heavyweight, regardless of the doubters.

Huni has landed a shock late-notice world title fight. Picture: Peter Wallis.

Asked if he can beat Usyk, Huni said: “Yes, 100 per cent. I believe I can beat anyone in the world.

“I don’t fear any of these guys. I just want to be the best heavyweight in the world.

“I am comfortable in being me, being Justis Huni the boxer, hitting and moving, the way I used to box coming up through the amateurs, that’s me and my style and I’m sticking with it.

“This fight is massive. It will open up a lot of doors for the heavyweights in Australia.

“We have a lot of talent coming through right now so it’s just putting heavyweight boxing in Australia on the map.

“I have a task ahead of me in five weeks time, I will overcome that and then go on to bigger and better things.”

Despite Huni recently undergoing elbow surgery, his manager and promoter Mick Francis is confident ‘JPH’ can overcome a short build-up to shock Wardley.

“He is the perfect opponent for Justis,” Francis said.

“Justis will win because Justis Huni is the best heavyweight to ever come out of this part of the world.

“He missed out on the Olympics (in 2021) because of injury, he was the favourite to win gold at Tokyo, but Justis is a generational fighter and it will be a long time before we see another natural talent at his size move the way he does.

“Justis has done the hard yards. He deserves this moment.”

Originally published as Aussie heavyweight Justis Huni has vowed to conquer the biggest ‘monsters’ in boxing world