Huni will channel his idol ‘Iron Mike’
JUSTIS Huni idolised Mike Tyson and Australia’s heavyweight champion is determined to channel the ferocious hunger of “Iron Mike” in his quest to conquer the boxing world.
Not for a second does Huni profess to have Tyson’s killer instinct but the Brisbane-born monster is adamant he possesses the drive to one day take on another Tyson ... British heavyweight king Tyson Fury.
It could be another two years before Huni (2-0, 2KO) gets a crack at a world-title fight. For now, the steps to the heavyweight summit must be incremental, which brings Huni to his third professional fight, against Jack Maris at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Saturday night.
At 205cm, the monolithic Maris is just 1cm shorter than Fury, but that’s where any comparison ends.
Fight footage of Maris (2-0) suggests he is a pugilistic plodder and if Huni regards himself as a bona fide world champion, he must drop him within two rounds.
Cleared of concussion which sidelined him for a month, Huni was in awe of Iron Mike’s ability to swiftly bludgeon his opponents and he warned of a Maris mauling in his gradual ascent to the world-title apex.
“Like Mike Tyson, I want to try and go all the way,” Huni said ahead of his comeback to the ring.
“I loved watching Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis as a kid. I loved that era of heavyweights.
“I just loved Tyson’s bad intentions when he went into the ring.
“When he threw a ‘combo’ it was explosive and I’ve tried to copy that. He puts everything into every single punch. He was ruthless. That’s what I loved about Mike Tyson.
“I don’t want to come into the sport and just fight in my backyard. I want to fight the best of the best around the world and become the best.
“My dream is to hold all the world titles and unify the heavyweight division. I know it’s a big goal but I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t think I can accomplish it.
“I believe I can be competitive against Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, 100 per cent. I think my speed and angles for a heavyweight could test guys like Joshua and Fury.”
Huni is aware of criticism that he may lack the punching power to be victorious on the world stage.
In his first two pro fights against Faiga Opelu and Arsene Fosso, the 104kg hulk impressed with his slick feet and array of skills.
While he peppered Opelu and Fosso into submission, there was no savage, Tysonstyle knockout punch.
Huni, however, says sustained pressure can be just as potent as he prepares to bombard Maris.
“I haven’t had a proper knockout yet,” he said.
“But even if I can break my opponents down, that’s good enough for me.
“I want to break them down in an exciting way, similar to what Tim Tszyu has been doing to his opponents.
“I know I’m not the biggest heavyweight.
“If the knockout comes, I will jump on it, but I like breaking opponents down, just like Mike Tyson did.
“It’s easier said than done but that’s my style, to work in close and break guys down with my speed and skill.”