Justis Huni is confident that he is on the path to becoming a world champion after witnessing his last opponent, Fabio Wardley, secure a shot at heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk. Huni is preparing to return to the ring next month, fighting on the prominent undercard of world champion Jai Opetaia’s IBF cruiserweight title defense. He will face New Zealand brawler Kiki Leutele in a highly anticipated rematch as he aims to climb the heavyweight ranks.
The Australian heavyweight star believes he could already be contending for significant titles if not for a setback he experienced in June, where he suffered a surprising tenth-round knockdown at the hands of Wardley in England. Despite the loss, Huni had dominated the earlier rounds, and the recent victory by Wardley over ex-world champion Joseph Parker has only increased Huni’s confidence about his abilities on the global stage.
“After my fight with Fabio, my stocks went up,” Huni stated. He expressed gratitude for the developments following his last bout and noted, “They went up again” after witnessing Parker’s defeat. Huni’s agent, Mick Francis, has called for support from boxing fans, emphasizing that injuries and a low profile have hindered the recognition Huni deserves.
With his new signing with Stan Sport, Huni (12-1, 7KOs) is looking forward to showcasing his talent on a broader platform on December 6. “We haven’t seen the best of Justis Huni yet,” Francis remarked, underscoring the heavyweight’s unique skills and potential to capture a world title.
Additionally, returning to the ring is popular super featherweight Paul “Showtime” Fleming, who is also appearing on December’s undercard. Fleming, who has not fought in over two years, will take on Jake Wyllie, an exciting prospect who gave former unified lightweight world champion George Kambosos Jr. a tough challenge earlier this year.
Fleming, now approaching 38, expresses a desire to pursue unfinished business in boxing, stating, “I think everyone knows I should have at least fought for a world title. It just didn’t happen.” He is determined to make a compelling comeback and believes he can still compete at a high level, taking inspiration from other fighters his age still performing well in the sport.
As Huni and Fleming gear up for their fights, there’s an anticipatory buzz in the boxing community. Their journeys reflect perseverance and ambition, with both fighters looking to make significant strides in their careers, offering hope for a bright future in Australian boxing.