Justis Huni has scheduled his first fight back since suffering his first pro loss.
Huni, 12-1 (7 KOs), fell short against Fabio Wardley on June 7 in a bout for the WBA’s interim heavyweight title. Huni was boxing well and was clearly ahead on the scorecards after nine rounds, but Wardley knocked him out in the 10th with a well-timed shot.
Huni, 26, will begin his comeback on December 6 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Australia, about an hour outside of Huni’s home in Brisbane, Australia. He will face Kiki Leutele in the co-feature of a show headlined by Jai Opetaia, who is defending his lineal cruiserweight championship and IBF title against mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara.
Huni and Leutele fought once before, in November 2022, when Huni was 6-0 and Leutele was 8-1-2. Huni battled through a hurt hand and some shaky moments en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Leutele has won four straight since and is now 12-2-2 (8 KOs). The 31-year-old from New Zealand hasn’t fought since March 2024, however, and none of his wins has come against standout opposition. Leutele’s foes during the stretch were 4-4, 18-25-1, 5-0 (a split decision win) and 5-3.
“This fight could easily headline its own card anywhere in the world,” Michael Francis, director of Tasman Fighters, the show’s promoter, said in a press release. “But we’re blessed to have such depth on this event – two world-class main events on one incredible night. Fans are going to get their money’s worth.”
David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.
