Justis Huni is “special”, but there’s one thing that worries Jeff Fenech about the posterboy of Australian heavyweight boxing: he “can’t punch”.
After a yearlong absence, the 23-year-old returns to the boxing ring on Wednesday night in Brisbane for the first time since his colossal 10-round slog against Paul Gallen in Sydney.
Standing in his way is his former sparring partner Joseph Goodall (8-0-1, 7KOs) who, after considering hanging up the gloves, shapes as Huni’s (5-0-0, 4KOs) greatest challenge yet after relocating to Las Vegas to work under 1984 Olympics silver medallist, Kevin Barry.
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Stars in the amateur ranks, both men are undefeated since turning pro and victory at Nissan Arena will see one of the two put onto the world map by moving into the top 15 of the world in three of the four sanctioning bodies.
In other words, it will supercharge their hopes of boxing for a world title.
“Both boys as amateurs were amazing,” Fenech told Foxsports.com.au.
“They did things that nobody else have ever done, so that on that scale and that scope it’s massive. It’s crazy.
“But they’re professionals now, it’s a different game, it’s a different atmosphere and a different level in a different area.
“The amateurs, no disrespect, but they’re s—.
“But both guys have been able to turn pro and do some great things.”
For years Huni, whose hand speed is unrivalled, has been talked about as Australia’s next big thing.
In fact, Barry, who led Joseph Parker to a world heavyweight title fight, wanted to sign Huni before eventually alerting his current promoter, Dean Lonergan, he could have his next world champion if he signed the teenager.
Yet, his power remains in question.
“I’ve got a huge rap on Justis Huni,” Fenech said. “He’s got great skills, but he can’t punch.
“If he could punch the amount of times he hit Paul Gallen they (the Goodall camp) wouldn’t be here. He’s not a puncher.
“They’re talking about teaching him to sit down on his punches, who’s teaching him? People (his father and trainer, Rocki) that have never had a fight in their life.
“I think Justis is very special, but he needs a lot of help to go to the next level, you’ve got to sit on your punches.”
While Huni is a “true boxer”, Goodall is anything but orthodox.
He’s a slugger who has long been known for his heavy shots.
But after boxing injured for years to make ends meat, Goodall has spent the past year fine tuning his jab and footwork under Barry in the “mecca” of boxing.
“Joseph, he’s got a bit of an advantage being over there, not just with Kevin, but the sparring and the work you get over there is always better than what you get in Australia, so it’s going to be tough,” Fenech said.
While George Kambosos Jr. failed to take away Devin Haney’s jab and hand-speed, Fenech said Goodall needed to rough up his opponent to stand a chance.
“There’s only one way he surprises, Joe’s got to make Justis fight his fight,” he said.
“If you let Justis fight his own fight, I don’t think he’s hard to beat I think he’s unbeatable.
“But if Joe puts pressure on him and takes that distance off him, keeps him going backwards, where he can’t set his feet and use that hand-speed of his, anything can happen.
“Can Joseph do it? That’s the question.
“If he’s doing everything right, he’s got a huge chance.”
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