Highly-rated heavyweight Justis Huni plans to showcase his talents in Britain with a future bout against the battle-tested Dereck Chisora in mind.
A 5-0, 4 KOs pro who won the Australian heavyweight title on his debut, the 22-year-old Huni had been set to compete in the Tokyo Olympics before a hand injury ruled him out.
Brisbane-based Huni will remain in both codes as he seeks to earn gold in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year while also eyeing a run at the pro heavyweight scene in Britain.
“It’s a perfect launching pad for Justis in the UK,” Huni’s promoter Dean Lonergan told Sky Sports. “There would be nothing better than him coming off the back of a Commonwealth gold and doing one, maybe two fights up there as a pro against some big names.
“A fight that we’re very keen on, we’d love to have a fight against Dereck Chisora, or even a Joe Joyce or a Tony Yoka. [Huni] is going to be devastating. He’s incredibly fast, he moves like a middleweight, and he’s hitting harder and harder. I think he’s a nightmare for any fighter he’s in the ring with.”
The 6ft 4ins Huni is regarded as one of the best emerging talents on the heavyweight scene and relishing the chance to prove his credentials in Britain, which currently boasts both heavyweight champions Tyson Fury (WBC and Lineal) and Anthony Joshua (WBA Super, WBO and IBF) plus contenders Dillian Whyte, Joe Joyce, Daniel Dubois and veteran Chisora.
“I’m still very young, I’m only 22, but as I grow and mature, especially in the heavyweight division, you will definitely see more and more potential of my power as I move forward,” Huni told Sky Sports.
“Definitely in the future, I’ll be looking to fight in the UK, because that’s where it’s at, especially in the heavyweight division.
“It will be awesome if I could challenge myself against Dereck [Chisora]. He’s a very credible boxer and it will be an awesome test for me. That’s what I’m all about is continuously testing myself.
“It will definitely get my name out there. An awesome experience if we can get that fight.”
Main image: D&L Events.