Hearn’s advice to heavyweight Justis Huni

George Clarke | June 15, 2022

The man behind Anthony Joshua’s rise to heavyweight stardom has delivered a blunt verdict on Justis Huni, telling the Australian if he wants to reach the top he must match his speed with power.

Promoter Eddie Hearn is in Brisbane to watch the 23-year-old (5-0) fight against Joe Goodall in an all-Australian heavyweight bout on Wednesday.

While Huni’s speed and footwork has led to immense hype, he is yet to convince anyone he has a power game to match it with the world’s best.

It’s something he may have to develop quickly, given the winner of Wednesday’s bout will move into the top 15 of three of the sport’s four sanctioning bodies.

“I think this fight will tell us everything we need to know about Huni,” Hearn told AAP.

“He’s got great pedigree as an amateur but sometimes in the pro game you can get outmanned and outgunned by tough, rugged fighters.

“That could be Goodall if he’s not the real deal.

“You need to be able to punch too. If you can’t put a dent in your opponent then you’re going to have big problems when you step up a level.

“I’ve seen comments from Jeff Fenech saying similar things, but it’s going to be a problem to get to the top of this sport in the heavyweight division if you can’t (land a knockout punch).”

Huni was asked about dealing with Goodall (8-0-1), whom promoter Dean Lonergan described as “a junkyard dog”, and claimed he was up to the task. 

“I’ll stand toe to toe,” he said. “I don’t have to get on my bike. If he wants to go to deep waters, I’ll go to deep waters.”

Huni has spent the time since his last fight – a TKO win over Paul Gallen 12 months ago – working on what trainers term “sitting down on punches”.

Essentially, Huni has been aiming to plant his feet and let his opponents feel the full force of his 110.05kg frame rather than the amateur style of searching for points.

Hearn sees potential in him and the English promoter would know given he has plotted the careers of Joshua, Tony Bellew and reigning WBA, IBF and WBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

But asked how he would manage Huni’s career, Hearn said the Queenslander had to take baby steps.

“I don’t think he’s ready to take on any of those top 15 guys,” he said.

“Keep him active, keep raising his profile and try and keep him here for as long as possible.

“So many Australian fighters get to a level and then they go for the big fights (overseas). I’d say he doesn’t have to do that.

“If he wins in style he is probably looking at Demsey McKean – in another all-Australian fight – then you’re talking about guys like Dereck Chisora, Carlos Takam and maybe even Joseph Parker in time to come.”