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Concussed Huni's Games tilt takes a hit

3 minute read

Heavyweight Olympic medal hope Justis Huni's Tokyo's Games preparation has been stalled as he continues to recover from a concussion.

Justis Huni will consult a specialist on Friday as he battles a concussion suffered in a friendly wrestle gone wrong.

But the heavyweight's trainer and father Rocky is confident it won't derail his son's Olympic campaign.

Third at the 2019 amateur World Championships, the 21-year-old claimed the Australian heavyweight crown in his professional debut last October.

The Brisbane talent had planned to fight numerous times before July's postponed Games, where he shapes as a genuine chance to claim Australia's first boxing gold if they go head amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

But his preparation has been severely hampered by the concussion, suffered when he was thrown onto his head on a pavement while skylarking with a friend.

Huni will learn more about his state on Friday and could possibly return to full training as early as next week, although is more likely to miss at least a month of contact training.

Regardless, he's been scratched from headlining the All Stars Boxing event on February 12 in Townsville and possibly his next fight slated for late March.

Huni's father said they would tread with caution but that time was on their side when it comes to the Olympics.

"He could be back training next week or it could take six weeks, we'll wait and see what we're told on Friday," he told AAP.

"The frustrating thing now is trying to stop him from doing anything. He's so used to working so hard.

"Hopefully it's a silver lining and he comes back hungrier and stronger.

Huni made history when he beat Django Opelu in his pro debut in October to win the Australian heavyweight crown before defending the belt by stopping Arsene Fosso in December.

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