Australian heavyweight Justis Huni is promising to deliver a memorable performance when he goes deep into enemy territory to face Fabio Wardley this weekend.
Huni will take on the Englishman for the interim WBA title on Sunday morning (AU time) at Portman Road, the home ground of recently relegated Premier League club, in front of what is expected to be more than 20,000 pro-Wardley fans.
The fight goes down hours before Huni’s Tasman Fighters stablemate Jai Opetaia attempts to defend his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles against Italy’s Claudio Squeo on the Gold Coast.
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Huni is looking to emulate Opetaia who made a statement when travelling to the UK to knock Englishman Jordan Thompson out.
“I want to go over there and make them never forget my name,” Huni told Sporting News.
“That’s what Jai went over there and did and I want to do that same thing. I want to leave that ring, that stadium with everyone knowing my name, that’s my goal.
“It’s going to be a massive day for Tasman Fighters and myself and Jai.”
While the prospect of fighting in front of a hostile crowd far from home may sound intimidating, Huni takes comfort in being the relatively unknown quantity.
“Fighting over there in his hometown, I feel like there’s no pressure on me, all the pressure’s on him,” he said.
“He has to come and perform for his people. At the end of the day, I don’t know anyone there and a lot of them might not even know me. They’ll know after, that’s it.
“I’ve felt like that every time I’ve fought internationally, it’s easier because you don’t know anyone there. You don’t know them, you’ve never seen them in your life.
“I feel more pressure fighting here in Fortitude Valley than fighting on the Saudi cards, in Mexico. It just feels better fighting in front of people you don’t really know or you don’t know.”
Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
Huni (12-0) enters the bout with an unblemished professional record, while Wardley’s also stands at a formidable 18-0-1.
With 17 knockout victories under Wardley’s belt, the 26-year-old Queenslander knows exactly what he’s up against.
“I just believe I’m going to outbox him. If I get my fitness there in five weeks, I think I can do what I’ve had the vision of doing,” he said.
“It’s just the power. I believe every other box I tick.
“I’ve just got to be smart and not make the fight 50:50 and stand on the inside and give him that opportunity to land those big power shots
“He does carry a lot of power but what’s power if you can’t land it? That’s what I’m looking to do, stick and move.”
A win over Wardley would put Huni firmly in the conversation for the biggest fights in boxing's glamour division.