By Joel Gould
Australia’s rising heavyweight star Justis Huni has inked a two-year deal with promoter Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable in his quest to be a global boxing superstar.
Huni, 23, was previously with promoter Dean Lonergan but his loss of the TV rights deal with Fox Sports cleared a path for Huni to seek other partners.
Justis Huni up against Joe Goodall in the Heavyweight WBO Oriental & IBF Pan-Pacific Regional title bout in June 2022.Credit:Getty Images
“We had offers from promoters all around the world but this one from Matchroom made the most sense,” Huni said.
“Eddie is followed everywhere in the world and he wants to take me global.
“He told us that while I am a superstar in Australia I am not known all around the world. That is his goal. He wants to make me a global superstar and turn me into a world champion fighter.”
British promoter Eddie Hearn, right, also manages former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, one of Huni’s idols.Credit:AP
Matchroom is the home of a suite of boxing stars including England’s Anthony Joshua, the two-time former unified world heavyweight champion and one of Huni’s idols.
“After winning gold at the Olympics he came into the pros and became a world champion. Joshua has done everything that I want to do,” Huni said.
“Eddie has Joshua, (Mexico’s) Canelo Alvarez and all the top fighters. This is clearly the best route for us to get to the top.”
Huni’s manager Mick Francis told AAP the deal with Matchroom was a “dream come true”.
“This opportunity to fight on a global platform with Matchroom opens up so many more doors,” he said.
“One of the hardest things over the last couple of years with Justis has been attracting good opponents to Australia because it costs an absolute fortune.
“Eddie gives us the opportunity to fight on many high-profile cards around the world, and we can go to them.
“There is not a heavyweight in the world that we would not jump in the ring with right now.”
Francis said there was a possibility Hearn initially could put on an impressive card in Brisbane in April.
“And we would fight (Australian heavyweight) Demsey McKean in a heartbeat on that card,” he said.
Huni’s father and trainer, Rocki, said at this stage there was no intention to move overseas to be closer to fights and that the team would persist with attending camps in places such as California.
“We are fortunate Eddie has put money aside for us to do a camp anywhere we want. We can bring sparrers in or go to them,” he said.
“I was a bit freaked out when Eddie told Mick that he has been after Justis since 2019. Knowing that was huge and made the transition easy. This is a promoter who has been following Justis for a while.
“To be in this position, we are just blessed.”
Justis said he still had “a great relationship” with Lonergan.
“I am grateful for everything Dean has done for me and my family,” he said.
“There are no hard feelings. It is a business, and he knows that better than anyone else.”
