Justis Huni fears one other hand damage could stall his end-of-year plans after the heavyweight prospect used all of his boxing IQ to beat spectacular New Zealander Kiki Leutele.
Huni’s boxing world title aspirations have been hanging by a thread when Leutele, an $11 outsider with bookies, rocked him within the fourth spherical at Brisbane’s Nissan Area on Friday evening.
The 23-year-old stumbled however regained his footing earlier than the New Zealander related with one other proper hand within the sixth spherical and the gang sensed a significant boilover.
However the Brisbane favorite gave himself some room and steadied, chipping away with jabs and physique pictures as Leutele drained over 10 tense rounds.
Judges scored the battle to Huni 99-91, 97-93, 98-92, because the 23-year-old moved his report to 7-0, with Leutele now 8-2-2.
The efficiency got here regardless of Huni feeling ache in his proper hand after touchdown a physique shot within the fifth spherical, the boxer admitting he punched by means of gritted tooth for the second half of the battle.
Huni had been looking for a knockout blow to silence his critics, who say he lacks the ability to match his elite velocity and ability.
And the lads each confirmed off their weaponry early as they stood toe-to-toe for 4 brutal rounds.
Huni smartened up although, his strategic shift sufficient to outclass the Kiwi and end a transparent victor.
Justis Huni punches Kiki Toa Leutele throughout their bout. (Picture by Chris Hyde/Getty Photographs)
“He mentioned he was going to look to knock me out and that’s what he tried to do,” Huni mentioned.
“However I used to be capable of alter and that’s the place the beginner background is available in.
“He caught me and I took it nicely … I simply stayed calm. As soon as I knew he’d be there for the long term I simply boxed good, stayed on the skin.”
Huni has one other battle slated for December and is hopeful of lining up three-time cruiserweight world champion Mairis Briedis early subsequent yr in an try and earn a top-15 world rating.
However what occurs subsequent will rely on scans, with Huni nicely conscious of the ramifications after he missed the Tokyo Olympics with boxer’s knuckle.
“We simply went 10 rounds punching one another within the face, so it’s a bit sore,” he mentioned.
“It would simply be bruising however we’ll get it sorted so we are able to get again on the market quickly as potential.”
