Heavyweight Justis Huni is being considered for a key role in a boxing first – if the slick Australian passes his biggest test yet in Saudi Arabia.
The 24-year-old from Brisbane will fight hard-hitting South African Kevin Lerena on the Knockout Chaos card in Riyadh early on Saturday (AEDT) on a card headlined by Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou.
It will be the former amateur ace’s ninth professional fight, with Huni unbeaten and having enjoyed four stoppage victories.
It can also be revealed that Huni has taken on the fight despite having ‘no idea’ what he is being paid in Saturday’s latest boxing extravaganza in Saudi Arabia.
Justis Huni has revealed he does not know how much he will be paid for the fight and hasn’t asked, because he knows a win will provide many, greater pay days
It won’t be easy for Huni, who faces a tough match-up against South African fighter Kevin Lerena (pictured at the weigh-in) in Saudi Arabia
While the two main eventers are being paid more than $106million combined, Huni has revealed he is yet to even ask about the details of his own purse, stressing: ‘I’m not worried about money for this one’.
‘This fight is all about performing, getting eyeballs on me,’ he continued
‘That’s why I’m not worried about the purse.
‘Because while I’m sure it will be good, I also know there are much bigger paydays coming if I do well. This opportunity, it’s massive for me.’
He’s already ranked inside the top 15 by governing bodies the IBF, WBO and WBA and sits 25th on the overall heavyweight ratings.
A win over the experienced Lerena (30-2) would likely propel him inside the top 10 of those bodies – and the top 15 of the ratings.
But more importantly it would enamour him to the sport’s movers and shakers who will be ringside at Kingdom Arena.
Huni is being considered as an option for the novel ‘5v5’ concept that will pit five of Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn’s men against five promoted by his long-time rival Frank Warren, of Queensberry Promotions.
The long-awaited Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol undisputed light heavyweight championship fight will headline the card, set for June 1 in Riyadh.
That – and a string of other high-profile, lucrative Saudi fight nights – have been made possible by Middle Eastern powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, who has brought the bitter British promotion rivals together.
Hearn said they would select their teams after this weekend’s event and then reveal the match-ups in London much closer to fight night.
Huni’s Australian manager Mick Francis told AAP from Riyadh the Lerena fight would ‘set him up’, with world-title challengers Daniel Dubois or Joe Joyce – rated fifth and eighth in the world – the targets on the table.
‘Tyson Fury’s been telling me that Kevin is a great boxer, is going to be tough, so I need to put on a show, perform on this stage,’ Huni told AAP.
‘It’ll set me up, a good show here and hopefully they’re impressed by what they see from me.
‘I’m a smart boxer; I’ll just do me, won’t get in front of him, just box his ears off.’
The main fight on the night will feature former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua (left) taking on former UFC king Francis Ngannou (right, at the weigh-in)
A hand injury meant Huni was unable to fight for gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and he has faced multiple delays due to illness and other injuries to stall his progress since.
But Huni is quick to remind doubters how relatively young he is compared to the division’s greats, with most contenders in their 30s and with 20-plus fights behind them.
‘I’ve still got years in this game, 10 or 11 at least,’ he said.
‘I’m 24 and I won’t hit my peak until I’m 35, so I’m just fortunate to be in this position and I’ll keep chipping away.
‘It’s been surreal to be here mixing it with these greats, just a mad experience.’
