Undefeated Australian heavyweight Justis Huni could be sidelined for at least nine months – and is no chance of fighting in December as initially planned – with fears the breakout star has suffered a repeat of the injury that cruelled his Olympic dream.
A week after securing his seventh straight win against tough New Zealand puncher Kiki Leutele, 23-year-old Huni is still unsure of the damage incurred during the gutsy decision win.
A visit to specialists on Thursday provided no answers, with the Queenslander told to wait another month for the swelling to subside.
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However speaking with Fox Sports Australia afterwards, Huni said the pain in his hand was similar to what he experienced after fighting, and beating, Gallen in 2021.
Despite earning a decision win over the NSW Origin great, Huni aggravated a sagittal band rupture — a tear often referred to as “boxer’s knuckle”.
The injury then ruled him out of the Olympics.
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Quizzed on his latest injury suffered against Leutele, Huni said: “It does feel the same as after the Gallen fight.
“However I’ve been told there is still a lot of swelling around the knuckle so I now have to wait another month and see.
“Let the bruising and swelling go down and check everything out then.
“If the pain is still there, it’s most likely a sagittal band tear.
“That’s exactly the same as what happened to my right hand after the Gallen fight. Only this time it’s my left.
“So if I do have to then go in for surgery, it would be a recovery of nine months.
“That’s the worst case scenario.”
Asked if he knew which punch, or even round, where the injury occurred, Huni conceded he had no idea.
“I think it was just right through the fight, continually landing on his head,” he said.
“But Leutele was a great opponent.
“As far as all the people I’ve fought, he would be at the top of the list for power.”
Told he was due a change of luck, the rising Aussie star continued: “It’s actually not as bad as after the Gallen fight, when I missed the Olympics.
“Because that was something I had worked really hard for.
“I’m only young.
“And I’m fortunate to still have a long career ahead of me.
“So if it is worst case, I’ll just take a break and get my hands fixed properly.”