Australian heavyweight boxer Justis Huni has returned from a successful camp in the United States with more power to his punches as he targets contending for a world title within the next 18 months.
Undefeated in six professional fights so far, Huni says he will unveil an "upgraded version" of his craft when he takes on highly rated New Zealander Kiki Toa Leutele at Nissan Arena in Brisbane on November 4.
Huni spent time at the Los Angeles gymnasium of former heavyweight boxer Justin Fortune who worked previously Manny Pacquiao as a strength and conditioning coach.
"To sum it up, it was a perfect camp," Huni said in Brisbane while promoting his upcoming fight.
"I got heaps of work in with Justin Fortune and heaps of quality sparring in.
"It went very well, especially sparring with guys like Frank Sanchez and he is ranked number three in the WBC. That gives me an idea of where I am at ... and it is very close to the top. It is exciting times."
When asked if he was now a new version of himself, Huni replied that he was "an upgraded version".
The 23-year-old said that he had picked up speed and power due to his sessions in Fortune's gym and added an extra dimension to his jab.
"I have added stuff to my craft," he said.
"The power is definitely coming along a lot more. I am really focusing on drilling those power shots in."
"The jab is the most important punch. Everything comes off it," he said.
"Having a very powerful jab is critical. If you go out there and stun them with a power jab it pretty much gives you the confidence and puts them on the back foot."
Huni is often questioned about when he is going to start knocking opponents out.
He said it was getting to be a "repetitive" line of questioning but added that he was still working up to his best.
"I probably won't peak until I am about 26," he said.
Event promoter Dean Lonergan said it was irrelevant whether Huni started knocking opponents out.
"I look at the last heavyweight fight that took place for the world title between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk where they split $100 million each where there wasn't a knockout or a knockdown," Lonergan said.
"Usyk came out on top by being a supremely good boxer. Justis Huni is probably the best boxer to come out of this country. If he picks up extra power and starts knocking guys out along the way, that's great, but there's certainly no pressure from us to do that.
"What we should do is admire his skills and talents because this is a once-in-a-lifetime fighter in my experience."
