{{short description|Australian boxer (born 1999)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox boxer | name = Justis Huni | image = | imagesize = | caption = | realname = | nickname = JPH, The Blind Magician | height = 1.93m | reach = | weight = Heavyweight | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1999|4|04}} | birth_place = Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia | style = Orthodox | total = 14 | wins = 13 | KO = 7 | losses = 1 | draws = | no contests = | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Men's amateur boxing}} {{MedalCountry | {{AUS}} }} {{MedalCompetition | World Championships}} {{MedalBronze |2019 Yekaterinburg|Super-heavyweight}} {{MedalCompetition | Youth World Championships}} {{MedalGold |2016 Saint Petersburg|Super-heavyweight}} }}
'''Justis Huni''' (born 4 April 1999) is an Australian professional boxer. He challenged for the WBA interim heavyweight title in 2025. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the Australian title from 2020 to 2021. As an amateur, Huni won a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships.
==Early life== Huni was born on 4 April 1999 in Meadowbrook,<ref name=proboxing>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proboxing.com.au/justis-huni.html|title=Justis Huni|website=Proboxing|access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> a suburb of Logan City, in the metropolitan area of Brisbane, Queensland.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/boxing-mma/australias-most-lauded-amateur-boxer-justis-huni-makes-debut-on-same-card-as-future-opponent-jai-opetaia/news-story/c98c46628fc8ee768f1c19dfe703b911 |title=Justis Huni wins Australian heavyweight title in professional debut as Jai Opetaia wins 20th fight in a row |author=Peter Badel |publisher=Daily Telegraph |date=22 October 2020 |accessdate=23 October 2020}}</ref> He is of Tongan, Swedish, Samoan and Dutch descent.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/boxing-mma/in-my-corner-aussie-boxing-roundup-with-grantlee-kieza/news-story/c17d09a8b316f974f6ae6748c4369952 |title=Sweet as Huni as Justis takes world title |author=Grantlee Kieza |publisher=Courier Mail |date=6 December 2016 |accessdate=13 September 2019}}</ref> His first sporting love was rugby league where he began playing for the Souths Sunnybank Magpies as a child but gave away the sport at the age of eight to pursue a career in boxing.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/boxing/heavyweight-huni-in-deep-end-with-pro-debut-20200921-p55xpz.html |title=Heavyweight Huni in deep end with pro debut |author=Phil Lutton |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=21 September 2020 |accessdate=8 October 2020}}</ref>
==Amateur career== ===World Championships result=== '''Yekaterinburg 2019''' *First round: Defeated Cristian Salcedo (Colombia) 5–0 *Second round: Defeated Nigel Paul (Trinidad and Tobago) RSC *Quarter-finals: Defeated Mahammad Abdullayev (Azerbaijan) 5–0 *Semi-finals: Defeated by Kamshybek Kunkabayev (Kazakhstan) W/O<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/world-amateur-championship-gold-medal-round-results--142746|title=World Amateur Championship: Gold Medal Round Results|work=boxingscene.com|access-date=21 September 2020|language=en}}</ref>
==Professional career== On 22 October 2020, Huni made his professional debut against Australian heavyweight champion, Faiga Opelu. Huni dominated throughout the bout and in the seventh round, he secured victory after his opponent's corner threw in the towel to protect Opelu from further damage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/boxing/boxing-2020-justis-huni-vs-faiga-opelu-result-video-australian-heavyweight-wins-on-pro-debut/news-story/d970d115d01ddca9e173654d8db5a389|title=Remember the name: 21yo Aussie giant makes boxing history with epic belt win on debut|work=foxsports.com.au|access-date=23 October 2020|language=en}}</ref>
On 3 December 2020, Huni fought for the second time as a professional against Arsene Fosso. After controlling the opening three rounds, referee Phil Austin called a halt to the fight in the fourth round after Fosso took a number of heavy blows from Huni.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/combat-sport/justis-huni-battered-arsene-fosso-in-brisbane/news-story/f408e73c1407d9a26ccc4c6869d6a194|title=Justis Huni battered Arsene Fosso in Brisbane|work=theaustralian.com.au|access-date=22 December 2020|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-04/justis-huni-has-eyes-set-on-boxing-history/12949456|title=Justis Huni eyes Olympic gold and a world heavyweight title after impressive win over Arsene Fosso|work=abc.net.au|access-date=22 December 2020|language=en}}</ref>
Huni had three more professional fights in the first half of 2021, knocking out Jack Maris on 10 April and defeating Christian Tsoye by unanimous decision on 26 May to retain his Australian heavyweight title. His most publicised fight took place on 16 June, when Huni entered the ring against ex-rugby league player, turned professional boxer, Paul Gallen. In what was a bruising encounter, Huni controlled the fight and overcame his 39-year-old opponent in the 10th round after knocking him to the ground. The referee declared the fight over with Huni improving his record to 5–0 while handing Gallen his first defeat.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-16|title='Unnecessary punishment': Ref slammed over stoppage as Gal urged to take his $1.5m and run|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/boxing/too-brave-for-his-own-good-gal-urged-to-take-15m-pay-day-and-run-for-his-own-welfare/news-story/be0d9b3bd0aa7cba181dde895477bcad|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Fox Sports|language=en}}</ref>
Huni was set to represent Australia at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in the super-heavyweight division but was ruled out due to injury.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lutton|first=Phil|date=2020-09-21|title=Heavyweight Huni in deep end with pro debut|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/boxing/heavyweight-huni-in-deep-end-with-pro-debut-20200921-p55xpz.html|access-date=2021-06-17|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref>
On 28 October 2023 in Cancún, Mexico, Huni faced Andrew Tabiti for the WBA International heavyweight title.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Justis Huni: I have the goods to go all the way & get the win against Andrew Tabiti |url=https://www.fightmag.com.au/2023/10/27/justis-huni-i-have-the-goods-to-go-all-the-way-get-the-win-against-andrew-tabiti/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=27 October 2023}}</ref> He won the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Justis Huni Outpoints Andrew Tabiti Over Ten Rounds on Foster-Hernandez Undercard In Cancun |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/justis-huni-outpoints-andrew-tabiti-over-ten-rounds-on-foster-hernandez-undercard-cancun |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=www.boxingscene.com |language=en}}</ref>
On 8 March 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Huni defeated Kevin Lerena by unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Justis Huni on top with decision against Kevin Lerena |url=https://www.fightmag.com/justis-huni-on-top-with-decision-against-kevin-lerena/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=8 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-09/boxing-justis-huni-defeats-kevin-lerena-anthony-joshua-wins/103568250|title=Australian heavyweight hope Justis Huni defeats Kevin Lerena in Saudi Arabia, Anthony Joshua stops Francis Ngannou|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=28 January 2026}}</ref>
Fighting at Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, he recorded second round stoppage wins over Troy Pilcher on 25 July 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/justis-huni-shows-aggressive-edge-clinically-stop-troy-pilcher|title=Justis Huni shows aggressive edge to clinically stop Troy Pilcher|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=28 January 2026}}</ref> and Leandro Daniel Robutti on 11 December 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/justis-huni-eyes-january-return-after-stopping-leandro-daniel-robutti|title=Justis Huni eyes January return after stopping Leandro Daniel Robutti|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=28 January 2026}}</ref>
On 8 January 2025, Huni scored another second round stoppage success, this time over Shaun Potgieter at the Convention and Exhibition Centre on the Gold Coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/combat-sports/boxing-news-2025-justis-huni-tko-victory-shaun-potgieter-heavyweight-fight-video-result-20250108-p5l2z3.html|title='Just what he needed': Justis Huni continues undefeated record with 'lightning fast' TKO win|publisher=Nine|accessdate=28 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/boxing/justis-huni-dominates-heavyweight-showdown-with-shaun-potgieter/news-story/62e0f2c5c22b59bff0a3b0974b77ffaa|title=Justis Huni dominates heavyweight showdown with Shaun Potgieter|publisher=news.com.au|accessdate=28 January 2026}}</ref>
Brought in as a replacement for Jarrell Miller, who pulled out of the bout on 30 April, Huni faced Fabio Wardley for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title at Portman Road in Ipswich, England, on 7 June 2025. He was ahead on the scorecards when he was knocked out with a right hand in the 10th round. It was the first loss of Huni's career.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Declan |title=Fabio Wardley saves homecoming with spectacular come-from-behind 10th-round KO to beat Justis Huni |url=https://ringmagazine.com/en/news/fabio-wardley-knocks-out-justis-huni-result-portman-road |work=The Ring |date=7 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://talksport.com/boxing/3271516/fabio-wardley-ko-justis-huni/|title=Fabio Wardley brutally knocks out Justis Huni in remarkable comeback win|publisher=Talksport|accessdate=28 January 2026}}</ref>
Huni beat Frazer Clarke on a majority decision over 10 rounds at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 11 April 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ringmagazine.com/news/justis-huni-edges-frazer-clarke-by-majority-decision-at-spurs-24RzKagwfgqELmWCCPx00v |title=Justis Huni edges Frazer Clarke by majority decision at Spurs |work=ringmagazine.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://talksport.com/boxing/4178242/justis-huni-frazer-clarke-tyson-fury-undercard-fight/ |title=Justis Huni beats Frazer Clarke after late issue threatens to derail Tyson Fury undercard fight |work=talksport.com}}</ref>
==Professional boxing record== {{BoxingRecordSummary |draws= |nc= |ko-wins=7 |ko-losses=1 |dec-wins=6 |dec-losses= |dq-wins= |dq-losses= }} {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !{{abbr|No.|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |- |14 |{{yes2}}Win |13–1 |style="text-align:left;"|Frazer Clarke |MD |10 |11 Apr 2026 |style="text-align:left;" |{{small|Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England}} | |- |13 |{{no2}}Loss |12–1 |style="text-align:left;"|Fabio Wardley |KO |10 (12), {{small|1:42}} |7 Jun 2025 |style="text-align:left;" |{{small|Portman Road, Ipswich, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For vacant WBA interim heavyweight title}} |- |12 |{{yes2}}Win |12–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Shaun Potgieter |TKO |2 (10), {{small|0:33}} |8 Jan 2025 |style="text-align:left;" |{{small|Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBO Global heavyweight title;<br />Won vacant IBF Pan Pacific heavyweight title}} |- |11 |{{yes2}}Win |11–0 |align="left" |Leandro Daniel Robutti |TKO |2 (8), {{small|2:02}} |11 Dec 2024 | style="text-align:left;”" |{{small|Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, Australia}} | |- |10 |{{yes2}}Win |10–0 | align="left" |Troy Pilcher |TKO |2 (10), {{small|2:26}} |25 July 2024 | style="text-align:left;” |{{small|Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, Australia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBO Global heavyweight title}} |- |9 |{{yes2}}Win |9–0 |align=left|Kevin Lerena |UD |10 |8 Mar 2024 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant WBO Global heavyweight title}} |- |8 |{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |align=left|Andrew Tabiti |UD |10 |28 Oct 2023 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Polifórum Benito Juárez, Cancun, Mexico}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant WBA International heavyweight title}} |- |7 |{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |align=left|Kiki Toa Leutele |UD |10 |4 Nov 2022 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Nissan Arena, Brisbane, Australia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained IBF Pan Pacific, WBO Oriental, and OPBF heavyweight titles}} |- |6 |{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |align=left|Joseph Goodall |UD |10 |15 Jun 2022 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Nissan Arena, Brisbane, Australia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant IBF Pan Pacific, WBO Oriental, and OPBF heavyweight titles}} |- |5 |{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Paul Gallen |TKO |10 (10), {{small|1:18}} |16 Jun 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|ICC Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained Australian heavyweight title}} |- |4 |{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Christian Ndzie Tsoye |{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}} |10 |26 May 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|ICC Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained Australian heavyweight title}} |- |3 |{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Jack Maris |TKO |1 (6), {{small|2:50}} |10 Apr 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia}} | |- |2 |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Arsene Fosso |TKO |4 (10), {{small|1:07}} |3 Dec 2020 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, Australia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained Australian heavyweight title}} |- |1 |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Faiga Opelu |{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}} |7 (10), {{small|1:21}} |22 Oct 2020 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, Australia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won Australian heavyweight title}} |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|https://www.justishuni.com/}} *{{boxrec|863084}}
{{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=Faiga Opelu}} {{s-ttl|title=Australian heavyweight champion |years=22 October 2020 – present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Huni, Justis}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:Australian male boxers Category:Boxers from Brisbane Category:IBA Men's World Boxing Championships medalists Category:Super-heavyweight boxers Category:Australian people of Dutch descent Category:Australian people of Samoan descent Category:Sportspeople of Samoan descent Category:Australian people of Swedish descent Category:Australian people of Tongan descent Category:Sportspeople of Tongan descent Category:Sportsmen from Queensland Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen