Australia’s heavyweight golden boy Justis Huni celebrates biggest win of his career in Saudi Arabia spectacular

He is the golden heavyweight of Australian boxing. Now Justis Huni is the real deal after withstanding a 10th-round South African storm to pull off the biggest win of his career.

Justis Huni’s world-title dream remains alive after Australia’s golden boy survived a massive last-round scare on Saturday morning to continue his unbeaten surge in the heavyweight division.

Heroic Huni (9-0, 4KO) celebrated the biggest win of his fledgling career, claiming a unanimous points decision over Kevin Lerena on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou blockbuster in Saudi Arabia.

The Brisbane-born young gun impressed all three judges (96-94 x 2, 98-92) to clinch the WBO global heavyweight title and underscore why is one of the rising stars of the division.

But Huni had to weather a 10th-round South African storm, with former cruiserweight world champion Lerena (30-3, 14KO) landing a monster left hand that had the 24-year-old all at sea in Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena.

Justin Huni lands a savage left hook in his courageous victory over South Africa’s Kevin Lerena.

In the toughest scrap of his career, Huni was inching closer to victory when the tough-as-nails Lerena produced a savage left with 87 seconds remaining, shocking the Australian.

Huni’s legs buckled and he wobbled around the ring for the next 60 seconds as Lerena desperately tried to land the killer blow, but ‘JPH’ somehow hung on to inflict just the third defeat of his rival’s 33-fight career.

Given Lerena’s experience — he is a 13-year pro who lost a world-title fight to Daniel Dubois two years ago — it was a massive scalp for Huni, who confirmed he is a world-class heavyweight.

“I did all the hard work in the gym, I’m glad my legs were strong enough to see it out,” a relieved Huni said on the DAZN coverage.

“That’s what I was expecting when I came out here.

“It was just a matter of time for me to adjust to his style.

“I’m always up for a challenge. I would love to be part of one of those big cards in the future.”

Huni struggled with Lerena’s southpaw style early, losing the opening rounds as the South African stalwart started with a multi-punch salvo, including a crunching right hook to the temple that hurt the Australian in the second.

But Huni did well to launch a counter attack. Using his greater speed and movement, Huni’s fast hands were a major weapon and he landed some sweet uppercuts to pile on the points, drawing blood from Lerena’s nose.

Huni was ahead on the cards entering the final round and was confidently stalking Lerena when the South African unleashed a left-hand bomb that shook ‘JPH’ to his core.

Huni had to survive a desperate final-round assault from Lerena to snatch victory.

Referee Victor Loughlin was close to stopping the fight, but Huni showed incredible toughness to scramble to victory.

Now blockbuster fights against Dubois and Joe Joyce are being mooted, a remarkable scenario for Huni, who is already world-ranked in three organisations despite just nine bouts.

“Justis is progressing well beyond his years,” said his Matchroom powerhouse promoter Eddie Hearn.

“He wants to move quick.

“Sometimes a lot of the strengths and attributes Justis has is negated against a smaller guy like Lerena. So I would like to see him in with a big heavyweight where he can use his speed and movement more effectively.

“That was a massive learning fight. He was hurt badly in the 10th round.

“Luckily he was fit enough and strong enough to come through.

“He must improve against a better level of opposition and particularly the big boys, but I like the way he is developing.

“When the big tests come, nights like this will make him ready.

“He came through an exceptional fighter and beat him. This was a big box ticked against a world-class fighter.”

Lerena, whose mother tragically died just 24 hours before the fight, paid tribute to Huni’s punch resistance.

“Justis was a good competitor,” he said.

“There is no such thing as good timing when somebody dies, emotionally it was tough, but I can’t take away from Justis.

“Testament to his guts.

“When I had him hurt, I should have finished him, but kudos to him, he stayed up like a tough lion, a young lion.

“I was trying to put it on his chin when he was on wobbly feet, I was trying to put him away, but he boxed better.

“I had him hurt more, but he is tough.

“A lot of guys … when I chin them like that, they go down, so well done to Justis.”

Originally published as Australia’s heavyweight golden boy Justis Huni celebrates biggest win of his career in Saudi Arabia spectacular