Justis Huni secures first overseas fight, has eye on Anthony Joshua
He is Australia’s best heavyweight. Now boxing sensation Justis Huni has sealed the biggest fight of his career abroad in his mission to be heavyweight champion of the world.
Justis Huni is going global, with Australian boxing’s heavyweight golden boy clinching his first overseas fight as part of his masterplan to eventually go toe-to-toe with British superstar Anthony Joshua.
News Corp can reveal Huni (7-0, 4KO) is bracing for the biggest test of his career after agreeing terms to fight dangerous Russian slugger Sergey Kuzmin (18-2, 13KO) in Abu Dhabi on June 3.
It will represent Huni’s first offshore fight as he moves a step close to his dream of one day challenging for a heavyweight world title.
It will also be the Brisbane-born pugilist‘s first fight under the banner of Eddie Hearn’s powerhouse promotional firm Matchroom, which boasts some of boxing biggest stars including heavyweight king Joshua.
Huni has signed a lucrative six-fight deal with Hearn and the first task is disposing of Kuzmin in his long-term mission to bring down the division’s big guns, including the hulking Joshua.
“This will be my toughest test so far,” said Huni, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Tuesday.
“I have watched a few of Kuzmin’s fights and he has a powerful right hand, but I’ve added some new things to my craft and I’m looking forward to my first overseas fight.
“I want to be the most exciting heavyweight in the world.”
Huni hasn’t fought since November, when Australia’s best heavyweight overcame a damaged hand to win a unanimous points decision over tough-as-nails Kiwi Kiki Toa Leutele.
But Huni has been cleared of any serious damage and is now ready to up the ante by going overseas to take on the best heavyweights in world boxing.
Underlining his talent, Huni already occupies the No. 14 slot with the WBO after just seven professional fights, making him the most inexperienced heavyweight in the sport to hold a world ranking.
While Kuzmin is his immediate concern, Huni says he eventually wants a crack at Joshua (25-3, 22KO) and being in the same Matchroom stable could be a decisive factor in making that fight happen.
“I would love to fight Joshua one day,” Huni said.
“My immediate focus is this fight against Kuzmin but I‘m always excited when there is a plan in place and I’m working towards fighting someone like Joshua.
“There are so many robots in the heavyweight division. A lot of them fight the same way. but I have speed and skills that can make me special, I don‘t believe any other heavyweight has the fast-twitch speed that I’ve got.
“I want to entertain the fans and I believe I have the skills to do it.”
Huni’s manager Mick Francis believes their new six-fight contract can put ‘JPH’ in world-title territory and help him secure a shot at Joshua.
“Justis is now in the same stable as Anthony Joshua,” Francis said.
“We would fight Anthony Joshua tomorrow.
“We have signed a six-fight deal and over the next 12 to 24 months, there are plans for Justis to fight in Australia, the Middle East, the UK and the US so it covers all the corners of the boxing world.
“Fights overseas are where the big-money fights are, but in saying that, as part of our new six-fight deal, Justis will have fights in Australia, so he isn’t turning his back on fighting locally.”
Huni has attracted criticism for lacking the punching power to win a world title, but Australia’s heavyweight kingpin says he longer cares about knocking opponents out.
“I worried too much about that (knocking out Leutele) in my last fight, but I am going back to do what I do best,” Huni said.
“I fight best when I stay long and showcase my boxing skills.
“I don’t mind fighting on the inside, but I’m not going to worry anymore about knocking people out and it no longer bothers me what people say.
“If a knockout comes it comes, but I’ve got my strengths and I’ll be sticking to them.”
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