Australian Heavyweight Justis Huni Overcomes Late Challenge from Kevin Lerena in Saudi Arabia

Australian heavyweight prospect, Justis Huni, secured a hard-fought victory against Kevin Lerena in Saudi Arabia, withstanding a late onslaught to maintain his undefeated status. Competing on the undercard of an event spearheaded by the renowned Anthony Joshua in Riyadh, the 24-year-old fighter from Queensland faced a resilient opponent in Lerena, who had dedicated the fight to his recently deceased mother.

Lerena, a 31-year-old South African and former IBO cruiserweight world champion, brought a fierce challenge to Huni, culminating in a spirited final round where he unleashed a flurry of punches in a bid to turn the tide. Despite a close call from a potent left hook, Huni managed to weather the storm and clinch victory via a unanimous points decision, with the judges scoring the bout 96-94, 96-94, and 98-92 in his favor.

Reflecting on his performance, Huni expressed relief, acknowledging the rigorous preparation that enabled him to withstand Lerena’s late surge. The Australian athlete noted that he gradually adapted to Lerena’s toughness over the course of the fight, demonstrating his resilience in the face of adversity.

Manager Mick Francis outlined future plans for Huni, targeting British heavyweight contenders Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois for a potential showdown on a prominent Saudi card scheduled for June 1. Huni welcomed the challenge, highlighting his eagerness to continue testing himself against top-tier competition.

Renowned promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom expressed confidence in Huni’s development, emphasizing the need for the young heavyweight to face larger opponents to fully utilize his speed and agility. Hearn commended Huni’s growth in the ring, citing the valuable lessons learned from tough fights like his recent bout with Lerena.

Lerena, despite the emotional turmoil surrounding his mother’s passing, commended Huni for his competitiveness and resilience. The South African fighter acknowledged the difficulty of competing under such circumstances and pledged to rebound stronger from the defeat, recognizing Huni’s toughness and skill.