How Aussie heavyweight boxer Justis Huni won over Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Justin Fortune
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How the Aussie heavyweight rising star Justis Huni won over one of the world’s most respected boxing trainers during scorching sparring sessions at the stalwart Los Angeles gym
World famous boxing trainer Justin Fortune rejected the famous almost famous Solomon Haumono because he was “too gentle” and knows what it takes to be the best in the world.
Now Fortune has taken the Aussie heavyweight rising star Justis Huni under his wing and is already giving him the tools to rise to the top.
Australian heavyweight boxer Huni had the Los Angeles-based trainer in his corner last night as he continued his undefeated run in the ring against New Zealand’s Kiki Leutele in Brisbane.
And the 23-year-old has been named one of the most exciting heavyweight talents by the champion Aussie coach after meeting the Queenslander at an American gym.
Justis Huni (R) fires a right hand punch at Kiki Leutele during their heavyweight fight on Friday night
Huni and his father Rocki flew out last December to spend five weeks with Fortune, who was Manny Pacquiao’s right-hand man for 20 years.
The Aussie No. 1 heavyweight pushed his way to victory against Leutele in a unanimous decision, which he attributed to his recent stay in West Hollywood.
Fortune spent his time molding Huni into an ‘Iron Mike’-esque boxer, where the sparring sessions got so intense that the Aussie broke a few ribs.
Huni (R) with boxing strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune (L) for the Australian heavyweight’s seventh career match on Friday
The 56-year-old strength and conditioning coach paired Huni with legendary trainer Freddy Roach, who worked with Miguel Cotto, James Toney and Mike Tyson.
Fortune recently spent two nights in Brisbane hospital with heart problems but rushed out of his hospital bed at the last minute to be in the corner of Huni.
According to Fortune, his heart jumped at a rate of 180 beats per minute, but he did not miss Huni’s match.
“I feel bad, I have a cough that I can’t shake until I have the heart redone, but that’s the way it is,” he told AAP.
‘I flew 15 hours to be here, spent weeks at camp’ [in Los Angeles]no way did i fucking miss it.
I had to be here, in the ring, after our first real camp. Everything I see here now could have 10 times the impact [to improve Huni] in training.’
Fortune (L) poses with legendary boxer Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao at the well-known Fortune Gym in Los Angeles
Huni says his power grew remarkably under the wing of Fortune, who helped Pacquiao to world titles in eight different weight classes.
The six-foot-four 110kg powerhouse was gearing up for a seven-fight campaign in 2022 but was hampered by injury when he broke his hand against rugby league hard-hitter Paul Gallen last June.
It is believed Huni sustained the same injury in last night’s win, where he claimed the IBF Pan Pacific Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation WBO Oriental titles.