The domino effect: Justis Huni, Troy Pilcher, and hopes for Australian boxing

Justis Huni wants to build on the “domino effect” he believes is elevating Australian boxing.

The heavyweight, 25, on Thursday fights his fellow Australian Troy Pilcher at Brisbane’s Fortitude Hall.

He does so at a time when it is hoped that Tim Tszyu will fight in a final eliminator for the IBF junior-middleweight title in Australia on September 22, and when plans exist for Matchroom to host Liam Paro’s first IBF junior-welterweight title fight in Sydney or Brisbane two months later.

That Jai Opetaia has come to be recognised as the world’s finest cruiserweight – and his plans to eventually move to heavyweight make him a potential future opponent for Huni – and George Kambosos Jr remains a significant figure at lightweight is a further demonstration of the Australian boxing scene’s growing strength, the influence of which is extending to Huni-Pilcher.

Matchroom’s stake in Huni – who last fought in March in Saudi Arabia, when he outpointed Kevin Lerena on the undercard of Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou – has contributed to Thursday’s fight being broadcast on DAZN, when traditionally a fight of that nature would have largely been overlooked overseas. 

The influential promotional organisation even has plans to stage a future fight in Australia for their popular English heavyweight Johnny Fisher – he is another potential opponent for Huni – and Huni is naturally increasingly aware of the wider interest in his next fight.

“It’s different to the other fights that I’ve had here in Australia,” the heavyweight, who last fought in his home country in 2022, told BoxingScene. “This one is a lot more bigger, and there’s a lot more interest in it. It’s exciting. 

“I believe the Australian boxing scene at the moment is at its peak, and in its best form at the moment. A lot of the Australian boxers are starting to bring home world titles from overseas, so I’m just grateful to be a part of that up-and-coming crew that’s on the come up.

“It’s like a domino effect. Once one person does it, everyone’s following their lead, and seeing what the other person does – taking away from their style, and marrying that with what they need to do to be a world champion. It’s like a domino effect.

“I think this is the most world champions that Australian boxing had at one time. It speaks for itself. I’m just grateful to be in the next phase of boxers that are coming through.

“It’s massive [that Paro dethroned Subriel Matias]. Massive for Australian boxing. What he did was next level – to go over there in his backyard and bring home a world title. That just shows the class that we have over here in Australia.

“I want nothing but success for all of the Australian boxers. Every time they go out there I wish them nothing but the best, and all the success. When one person can do it, other people can start following suit, and we’ll start bringing more world titles home.

“[Tszyu’s] another Australian boxer also on the come up, and it’s his time to shine. Now that we know that we have it in us to be world champions, because we’re bringing home the belts, people will start to believe in themselves a lot more. 

“It was massive [that Vasiliy Lomachenko-Kambosos Jr. was staged in Perth] – for a lot of young, up-and-coming boxers that want to take up the sport and go all the way, to see that first hand, and live. Someone like Lomachenko is a massive inspiration for a lot of young Australians.

“It would be an honor to perform on a Liam Paro undercard. Fighting under any main event that has a world title involved is massive.”

Matchroom’s plans for Huni – he has also previously fought in Cancun, Mexico – will regardless be disrupted should Pilcher win on Thursday.

At 235.9lbs Pilcher was lighter than the 247.5lbs Huni at Wednesday’s weigh-in, and he could yet benefit from the level of activity that means he is entering his 11th fight since making his professional debut in February 2022.

“He’s had one extra fight than me, and he’s had nine wins and seven of those by knockout and one draw, so he’s a tough competitor,” Huni said.

“I’m going into this fight just like every other fight. I’m not looking past my opponent but I’ve done all the hard work, and I know and believe in myself, and I believe I can get the job done.

“I’ve got hand speed, and my foot movement as well – I try to use those to my advantage as much as I can. In this camp I’ve been doing a lot of work to be more aggressive and start sitting down on my punches a lot more, and have bad intentions behind what I’m doing when I go into that ring.

“He’s got a high work-rate, and he’s got a good right hand, so I’ll be looking to be cautious of that throughout the fight, and do all the work that I’ve planned for in this training camp.

“I look at each opponent the exact same way. I don’t treat any opponent lightly. I know they’ve done all the hard work in the lead up to this fight so I can’t look past anyone. I know he’ll be ready to take all that I’ve got, and I’m willing to bring that to a head.

“It’s always a big occasion – especially headlining a show, [headlining] is a big occasion in itself. I’ve fought on big cards now. I’ve fought on an Anthony Joshua undercard – I’m used to these big occasions, and I’m just ready to go.

“I don’t really look too much into [my prospects, post-fight]. I just worry about this business that I have to do in the ring and make sure that I give everyone that’s tuning in an entertaining fight. I don’t really think too much about how many people are going to be tuning in and watching. I’m just giving them what they’ve come to watch, which is an entertaining fight.

“Back to the drawing board after this fight. Sit down, talk to the team, and we’ll go from there.

“I haven’t had it suggested to me yet but I’d definitely be up for the challenge – I know Johnny Fisher’s a very popular guy. It’ll be good for me and my exposure to get out there more. It’d be good to take that fight on.”