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Huni to thrive on hectic boxing schedule

3 minute read

Australian champion Justis Huni has no qualms about two big fights in three weeks, including a bout against ex-NRL great Paul Gallen before the Olympics.

Given he was born 15 years after the release of the movie, The Terminator, it's understandable that Justis Huni is bemused by Paul Gallen's reaction to their fight promotion posters.

Former NRL great Gallen was enraged that Huni's promoter Dean Lonergan depicted Huni as the Terminator, and dubbed the June 16 fight "Termination Day", with Gallen a shadowy background figure.

Huni said his trainer dad Rocki and Lonergan came up with the idea and he thought it was a bit of a laugh.

"I'm not too familiar with the movie, I just take it all in and think it's awesome," Huni told AAP.

"Gallen and my promoter have got their thing going on and I just focus on the fight."

It's not just the Gallen fight, at the International Convention Centre, that 22-year-old Huni is focusing on.

He will defend his Australian heavyweight title against Christian Tsoye on May 26 in Sydney before backing up against the former Australian rugby league captain with both fights over 10 rounds.

And then he's off to the Tokyo Olympics in late July, having his first vaccination this week ahead of the gold medal pursuit.

Huni says he's not concerned about the gruelling schedule, with just three weeks between Tsoye and Gallen, and felt that similarities between the pair would make preparation easier.

"It's nothing I haven't experienced already. I'm used to backing it up fight by fight as an amateur," the Brisbane talent said on Tuesday.

"I'm pretty confident how both of the fights will pan out as they both have similar styles as they both go forward so I'm planning on taking away the risk by staying out long and just boxing.

"I'm not going to risk myself getting any cuts by fighting on the inside.

"Gallen has never fought anyone with my speed and footwork."

COVID-19 stalled amateur boxing in 2020, which prompted Huni's switch to the professional ranks, winning the Australian heavyweight crown over Django Opelu in his first fight in October before defending the belt by stopping Arsene Fosso in December.

The Olympic gold medal remains Huni's ultimate goal, and he will start among the favourites after making the semi-finals of the amateur world championships in 2019 before a bout of gastric forced him out.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking past both these guys as they both have tough styles so I've got to be ready for whatever they bring," he said.

"But it's all for preparation for the Olympics, it's definitely my priority."

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