Justis Huni has the speed and skill to go far as a heavyweight boxer but says turning himself into an animal in the ring is the next step in his goal to challenge for a world title by the end of next year.
Huni will fight highly rated New Zealand heavyweight Kiki Leutele at Brisbane's Nissan Arena on Friday night after taking his craft to the next level at the Los Angeles gym of Justin Fortune, the former trainer of Manny Pacquiao.
Fortune has worked on getting more power into the 23-year-old's repertoire.
"I am continually learning and gradually getting the experience where I can get this style down pat. We are trying to transform myself into an animal in the ring and to be feared," Huni told AAP.
"Being in the LA atmosphere was really something special. Everyone over there wants to be that top podium fighter. Surrounding yourself with athletes and boxers like that can only bring you up.
"I am in dangerous form at the moment so I am looking forward to Friday night."
Leutele said he respected his opponent and expected a tough fight, but was still seeking to burst Huni's bubble.
"We are not looking to go the distance. We are trying to go for the knockout," Leutele said.
"That is the only way we have prepared. If that is how it is everyone should watch this fight because you've got two people that want to knock each other out."
Huni said Leutele's quest for a knockout would "make for a good war".
Fortune is in Australia assisting Huni ahead of the fight and said he was impressed with his qualities.
"He's fast and strong. You don't find fast heavyweights now. There were a few back in the 1990s but not anymore," he said.
Huni is not a motor mouth. He's quietly spoken and understated which Fortune said was "the best way to be".
"You go in there, take care of business and leave. Then you build up that reputation of people fearing you."
While Huni is not feeling pressure to knock Leutele out, Fortune said that is what heavyweight boxing was about.
"It is the hurt game. Everyone wants to see knockouts and blood," he said.
"We are getting Justice to sit down on his shots and utilise his power."
Fortune said this time next year he expected Huni to be challenging for a world title, if he was managed properly.
"This one is a little bit different," he said.
"He's fast, has a good boxing brain and also has power. It is a big deal when you combine of all of those. That's a good fighter."
