Australian boxing star Justis Huni insists he will take care of his injured right hand “straight away” and return to the ring “as soon as possible” after defeating Kiki Leutele in a brutal heavyweight battle.
Huni beat the Kiwi via unanimous decision (99-91, 97-93, 98-92) and improved his record to 7-0, but his next fight looks likely to be pushed further down the line as a result of a suspected broken right hand.
The injury seemingly occurred late in the fight, with Huni telling his corner as much.
Yet the Queenslander continued to throw punches on his compromised hand in the final rounds, highlighting a toughness we had not yet seen from him.
When quizzed by Main Event commentator Ben Damon on his injured hand, Huni admitted it was a flare up of a previous injury.
“It felt the same as when I was fighting Gallen,” Huni said after the fight.
“But it’s alright, we’ll take care of it straight away and hopefully get back out there as soon as possible.”
Rising Aussie boxing star and co-commentator Harry Garside also marvelled at Huni’s ability to fight through the pain, noting it was “just incredibly tough”.
Read below for our round-by-round recap and unofficial scoring!
Picture perfect uppercut DROPS Martin | 00:48
‘LET’S F*** EVERYTHING UP’: How Kiwi went from seven day benders to plotting Huni downfall
REVEALED: Meet the vicious KO King Huni wants next
“HURTS LIKE A MOTHERF***ER”: How Justis Huni learned to punched like Iron Mike
ROUND 1
A cagey start between both fighters, however Huni quickly gained the ascendancy. The Aussie landed some brutal body shots and uppercuts that had Leutele on the back foot, yet the Kiwi continued to come forward. 10-9 HUNI
ROUND 2
Leutele refuses to wilt and is throwing a number of shots of his own, but it’s not having much of an impact on Huni. Instead, the Queenslander is landing the bigger shots and busted Leutele’s nose open. It’s already looking like a boxing masterclass from Huni who’s simply too fast for the Kiwi. 20-18 HUNI
ROUND 3
Kiki Leutele opened with a big right hand that caught Huni although it did little to wobble the Aussie. Although Luetele continued to throw heavy punches, Huni proved his toughness as he wore every shot headed his way. 29-28 HUNI
ROUND 4
It’s really starting to become a serious war between the two. Huni, clearly trying to prove a point to his critics that he has that knockout power, continues to operate in front of Leutele but it’s a dangerous tactic as the Kiwi constantly tags him. Huni almost went down but it was ruled as a slip by the referee as he looks to take the upper hand. 39-37 HUNI
ROUND 5
Huni has reverted to a movement-heavy approach now as he avoids the close punching power of Leutele. The Aussie continues to throw punches at Leutele’s body before exploding with a punch aimed at the Kiwi’s head. But Leutele will not go away and had a great moment towards the end of the round with Huni on the ropes. 49-46 HUNI
ROUND 6
How much more punishment can Leutele take? Huni remains relentless with his switching of shots to the body and the head, yet the Kiwi throws combos back time and time again. 59-55 HUNI
Huni and Leutele face off after weigh in | 03:45
ROUND 7
Leutele was a little slower to get off his stool going into this round and the reduced pace is beginning to show. It’s perfect with Huni’s lightning hand speed as he targets Leutele’s body yet again, but the Kiwi keeps Huni on his toes with his counter punches. It’s really starting to swing in Huni’s favour now. 69-64 HUNI
ROUND 8
There were questions going into the round as to whether Huni’s right hand was compromised, but there were no such signs in Round 8. The 23-year-old had no issues with throwing it as Leutele hits back with fewer counters, although he still keeps walking Huni down. 79-73 HUNI
ROUND 9
There’s certainly been more clarity surrounding Huni’s right hand now and it appears it’s broken or seriously hurt. The Aussie rarely threw any punches from that hand, operating almost always with his left but it’s still finding a home on Leutele’s body and head. Leutele simply can’t take advantage of a weakened Huni, who’s movement is simply too superior this late in the fight. 89-82 HUNI
ROUND 10
It’s a case of hit and move for Huni, who’s in a world of hurt with his injured right hand. Leutele’s doing everything he can to find a finish, which is what we needs for a win, but Huni continues to be too evasive for the Kiwi. Remarkably, Huni kept throwing his right hand right to the death in a showcase of grit and toughness. 98-92 HUNI
FINAL RESULT: Justis Huni def Kiki Leutele via UD (99-91, 97-93, 98-92)
DEBUTANT’S PICTURE PERFECT UPPERCUT
Billy Polkinghorn made an almighty statement in his professional debut as he stopped Broby Martin in the third round.
Polkinghorn, an Englishman based in Perth, was clinical against Martin as he darted in and out of the space.
But the 26-year-old’s best moment came early in the third round when he threw a brutal uppercut that dropped Martin on his backside.
Although Martin survived the count, it was simply delaying the inevitable as Polkinghorn piled on the pain before the referee stepped in to wave off the contest.
FULL CARD
Justis Huni def Kiki Leutele via UD (99-91, 97-93, 98-92) — heavyweight (IBF Pan Pacific Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation WBO Oriental titles)
Ben Horn def by Campbell Somerville via UD (39-37, 40-37, 40-36) — super welterweight
Jerome Pampellone def Faris Chevalier via UD (100-90, 99-91 x 2) — light heavyweight (vacant IBF Australasian title)
Clay Waterman def Mitchell Whitelaw via UD (58-55, 57-56, 60-55) — cruiserweight
Benjamin Bommber def Ankush Hooda (57-57, 58-56, 59-55) — super welterweight
Billy Polkinghorn def Broby Martin via TKO in Round 3 — lightweight