Aussie heavyweight champ Justis Huni slays 205cm giant in first round TKO

Australian heavyweight boxing champion Justis Huni’s latest opponent has been left furious after he was absolutely massacred by the champ.

Australian heavyweight champion Justis Huni has dismantled challenger Jack Maris within a round in their fight on the Gold Coast.

Huni looked immediately like the better boxer and waited for his moment and it came with just under 30 seconds remaining in the first round.

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It was a massive mismatch in skill levels and appeared to be more about Huni getting a fight after he had to withdraw from the NRL’s All Star Fight Night with a concussion after wrestling with a friend.

It mean the main event was more of an anticlimax after a brilliant night of boxing.

Having dispatched Faiga Opelu to win the Australian Heavyweight title with his debut fight, before dispatching Arsene Fosso in his first defence, Huni has made light work of the heavyweight division since arriving on the professional scene.

While only a six-round fight, Huni didn’t even need a whole round to dispatch 205cm giant Jack Maris.

Jsutis Huni hardly raised a sweat in the fight as the ref waved it off early.

While the height and reach advantage was massive for Maris, Huni had all the skill.

When it was time to go, Huni unleashed two massive body shots, before unloading a flurry of wild punches on Maris with the referee having no option but to call the bout.

Maris was furious with the call but he had little option with the challenger getting demolished against the ropes.

“The referee stepped in as soon as he started taking shot against the ropes and wasn’t defending himself,” Fox Sports’ Ben Damon said. “He thought he had enough but Jack Maris is not at all happy with the stoppage.

“He did look like he was defenceless against the ropes taking big shots but then, as soon as it stopped, he looked OK and now he’s bouncing around. You can understand why he’s disappointed with the stoppage. But a stoppage it is and Huni’s 3-0.”

The camera then cut to Maris who said down the lens “I’m f***ing fine”.

Maris wasn't happy with the call.

Damon said Maris was still fuming minutes later but said it was the right call.

“Maris was drastically out matched and outgunned in this fight as we thought he would be,” Damon added. “He had a good crack but took a lot of shots and really, if it wasn’t stopped then, it wouldn’t have gone much further.”

Ted Cofie added: “I think it was a foregone conclusion but he looked OK and right away he complained.”

Asked how it feels after the fight, Huni said he was looking forward to his busy year with fights against Christian Tsoye before a fight with Lucas Browne, who is set to fight Paul Gallen on April 21.

“It feels amazing, I’m very happy to be back in the squared circle where I belong,” Huni said.

Asked about Maris’ anger at the stoppages, Huni seemed nonplussed.

“It is what it is, you’ve just got to live with it,” he said. “I have no doubt of my control.

“I did all the hard work, there was no pressure. I just came out here and did what I love to do and do what I do best.”

Justis Huni was all over Jack Maris.

Social media was impressed but underwhelmed by the fight.

Huni might be young and a little raw, but he has the footwork and speed of a welterweight.

Brilliant to watch.

— Aussie Boxing Scribe (@el_pollo_loco) April 10, 2021

First round stoppage for Justis Huni. 3-0 now with 3 stoppages. Time to fight Lucas Browne, and then off to get that gold at heavyweight at the Tokyo Olympics 🥇🇦🇺 #HuniMarispic.twitter.com/eL0ceSFLpW

— Lachlan (@lachlanh00per) April 10, 2021

Easy work for Justis Huni. He should probably be fighting better quality opposition than this, but that will come in time.... #ozboxing#Huni

— Adam Santarossa (@adamsantarossa) April 10, 2021

Justis Huni with a massive first-round victory over Jack Maris. Yet another KO.

Maris not happy with the stoppage but didn't look like he had any defence. #HuniMarispic.twitter.com/QzPkIqrLmt

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) April 10, 2021

Insane night of boxing stuns

It capped off an excellent night of boxing with all the other fights going the distance and three Australian titles decided.

The night started with a war between Samoan-Australian boxer Leti Leti has stepped up in weight to snatch the title in a stunning bout against defending champion Conor Wallace.

The fight was a majority decision with judges ruling it 95-95, 96-94, 98-93.

“Wow, what a fight we’ve seen, the Australian Light Heavyweight title,” Damon added. “We’ve seen a war, there is more to come.”

Lightweight Sam Goodman maintained his unbeaten record with a demolition of Daniel Carr before Andrew Hunt and Ben Kite put in a classic for the Australian Welterweight title.

It was an incredible fight with Hunt thanking Kite for the opportunity, while saying the fight was “another step to the world title.

Ben Mahoney claimed his title.

That wasn’t all with Ben Mahoney and Kris George also going the distance with Mahoney claiming the unanimous win, despite being knocked down in the fifth round.

“Man, it means the world,” he said. “We’ve been hunting this belt for so long and every time we went for it, there was a roadblock.”

THE FULL CARD

Justis Huni (3-0) defeated Jack Maris (2-1) by TKO, Round 1

Ben Mahoney (11-0) defeated Kris George (14-3) by unanimous decision (95-94. 96-93. 95-94) for the Australian Super Welterweight Title

Andrew Hunt (8-0-1) defeated Ben Kite (18-5-1) by unanimous decision (96-94. 96-95. 97-94) for the Australian Welterweight Title

Sam Goodman (8-0) defeated Daniel Carr (3-7) by unanimous decision (60-54 x2, 60-52)

Leti Leti (16-1) defeated Conor Wallace (7-1) by majority decision (95-95, 96-94, 98-93) to win the Australian Light Heavyweight Title