Olympic hopeful Justis Huni defeats Christian Tsoye in heavyweight clash

Olympic hopeful Justis Huni has comfortably defeated Christian Tsoye via unanimous decision (99-91 x 2, 98-92) in their heavyweight clash at Sydney’s International Convention Centre on Wednesday evening.

The Australian heavyweight champion outclassed his opponent in front of a select group of 40 spectators at Darling Harbour, but the fight went deeper than many pundits anticipated — Huni wasn’t able to muster a TKO win for the first time in his professional career.

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Regardless, attention quickly shifts to Huni’s highly-anticipated bout against former rugby league star Paul Gallen at the ICC on Wednesday, June 16.

“Show time, let’s get it on,” Huni told Gallen after the win.

“It’s going to be a hell of a fight between me and Gallen, and I can’t wait.

“You don’t see a lot of people working the body like I do, so that’s what I’m going to bring on June 16 as well … those body shots are going to slow you down.”

The Brisbane fighter’s professional record improves to 4-0 with three KOs.

Huni peppered his opponent with body shots throughout the opening round, while Tsoye delivered a couple of powerful blows of his own.

Fox Sports reporter Cody Kaye tweeted: “Huni clearly levels above Tsoye … BUT, Tsoye is willing and he’s throwing big shots. So with Gal in three weeks and the Olympics in 8, he’s a huge risk of a cut, or worse.”

During the second and third rounds, Tsoye continued to throw short punches as Huni controlled the contest from a distance.

The Brisbane boxer found himself on the ropes late in the fourth term as Tsoye continued to fire off vicious strikes.

However, Tsoye started to show signs of fatigue in the fifth round as Huni regained control of the bout with some well-directed jabs to the head.

Huni’s trainer told the 22-year-old to ease off ahead of the eighth round: “You’re looking good, you’re looking unbelievable. Get the rounds in, that’s what we need. No better way. Whenever you want to cut loose, up to you, if you feel like you need more rounds, mate … I don’t give a s***.”

Subsequently, Huni strolled around the ring running down the clock for the final few rounds, but that didn’t stop Tsoye pushing for an unlikely win.

Tsoye threw everything he could at Huni in the final term, but there was no doubt about what the result would be.

Earlier in the night, Isaac Hardman defeated Robert Berridge via TKO in the eighth round to secure his 10th consecutive professional win.

Huni claimed Gallen made a huge mistake gaining clearance from Channel 9 to commentate on Wednesday’s fight, because he’ll subsequently be having second thoughts about their showdown next month.

“It’s going to be a shock for Gallen, I feel like he knows what I can do, but he really doesn’t know fully,” Huni said on Tuesday.

“He’s going off some videos, but it’s going to be different when he sees it live and in person, how fast my footwork will be, how sharp I am. He’s in for a treat.

“He wants to question my heart, we’ll have to wait and see on June 16, because I think he’ll be questioning what he’s doing in the boxing ring with me.

“A lot of my sparring opponents are saying to me, ‘I knew you were fast but being in front of it, I can’t even see the punches’.

“That’s what Gallen’s going to have trouble with, because he’s fought a lot of guys but they don’t have my speed or footwork.

“He’s trying to compare me to his fight against Mark Hunt and Lucas Browne, but I’m not one of them. This is a different level.”