Jeff Fenech hits Justis Huni with a low blow as he says star boxer ‘can’t punch’ just before he clashes with Joe Goodall in Australia’s biggest ever heavyweight fight
Justis Huni might be a household name in Australia after his win over Paul Gallen last year, but legendary Aussie boxer Jeff Fenech reckons the talented boxer can’t even punch.
Fenech, better known to a generation of boxing fans as the ‘Marrickville Mauler’, hasn’t held back in his criticism of rising Aussie fighters of late, and he had a bit of advice for Huni and Joe Goodall ahead of their fight on Wednesday night.
It has been a year since Huni (5-0-0) has stepped in the ring.
The last time was when he got the better of Gallen in a 10-round slugfest, helping cement the perception that the Queenslander is Australia’s next big thing in boxing.
Justis Huni at on open training session in Brisbane ahead of his fight on Wednesday night. He might’ve knocked Paul Gallen out, but Jeff Fenech insists he lacks power
Jeff Fenech is concerned about Huni’s power game ahead of his fight against Joseph Goodall
His footwork is solid and the speed of his punches is absolutely electric, but Fenech didn’t mince his words when talking about Huni’s power game.
‘I’ve got a huge rap on Justis Huni. He’s got great skills, but he can’t punch,’ Fenech told Fox Sports.
‘If he could punch the amount of times he hit Paul Gallen they (the Goodall camp) wouldn’t be here. He’s not a puncher.
‘They’re talking about teaching him to sit down on his punches, who’s teaching him? People [his father and trainer, Rocki] that have never had a fight in their life,’ said Fenech.
Huni and Goodall’s bout on Wednesday is arguably the biggest all-Australian heavyweight clash ever
Huni’s fighting style is in direct contrast to Goodall, who has seven knockouts in his 8-0-1 career.
Goodall is a heavy hitter who can deliver colossal punches, and Fenech said he needed to apply the pressure to Huni straight away if he’s to come away with the win on Wednesday.
Huni (left) takes on Paul Gallen in June of last year. He knocked out the famously hard-headed ex-NRL enforcer – but it took him 10 rounds to do it
Joe Goodall has seven knockouts in his eight-fight professional career
‘Joe’s got to make Justis fight his fight. If you let Justis fight his own fight, I don’t think he’s hard to beat; I think he’s unbeatable,’ he said.
‘But if Joe puts pressure on him and takes that distance off him, keeps him going backwards, where he can’t set his feet and use that hand-speed of his, anything can happen.
‘Can Joseph do it? That’s the question. If he’s doing everything right, he’s got a huge chance.’
It has been a big week for Huni, who has had to deal with a terrifying drive-by shooting at his Brisbane home last Thursday.
Justis Huni (right) with his father Rocki Huni after the drive-by shooting at his home
Images show bullet holes throughout the house following the terrifying ordeal
Police were quick to the scene, and bullet casings were seen outside the home
He was asleep along with 10 other family members in the house – including his eight-year-old child and a six-month old baby – when a car pulled up outside around 4am, with nine gunshots popped off in quick success.
Fenech wasn’t all glum – he did reserve some praise for the way Goodall and Huni have risen through the ranks.
‘Both boys as amateurs were amazing. They did things that nobody else has ever done, so that on that scale and that scope it’s massive. It’s crazy,’ he said.
‘But they’re professionals now, it’s a different game, it’s a different atmosphere and a different level in a different area.
‘The amateurs, no disrespect, but they’re s**t, but both guys have been able to turn pro and do some great things.’
Source: Daily Mail Online