Paul Gallen may have claimed an impressive win over former heavyweight champion Lucas Browne, but Justis Huni’s camp warns the former NRL star will barely last five rounds.
Gallen is undefeated after 12 professional fights but faces the greatest challenge of his career against the rising Huni, who has been widely backed as the overwhelming favourite to win the bout.
The pair are set to take to the ring on June 16 at the ICC Exhibition Centre in Sydney.
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The fight is scheduled for 10 rounds but Huni’s father and trainer Rocki has his doubts.
“I honestly don’t see it going past the fifth round,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I think he will get to the stage where he will get stopped or he’s just taken too much punishment and the referee will turn around and say ‘stop it’ on him.
“In saying that, Gallen is an athlete, I give him props for that. He is a legend in his sport, but this is boxing, not football.”
It is consistent with what fight promoter Dean Lonergan is predicting, having told foxsports.com.au earlier this month Gallen will get hurt and has a rematch option in his favour.
“Paul understands we’re in the hurt business. I honestly think Justin Huni is going to hurt him, but he’s signed up for it, he’s getting paid well for it,” Lonergan said at the time.
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“This kid is 22-years-of-age, he doesn’t care what he’s paid, he just wants to get in the ring and fight. Whereas the last two guys Paul Gallen fought, all they cared about was the payday and how much they were getting paid because they were at the end of their careers.
“Paul’s about to find out how far away this is from washed-up prize fighters looking for a final payday.”
Gallen though has made a habit of proving his critics wrong, upsetting former mixed martial arts beast Mark Hunt last year before knocking Browne out in 125 seconds in Wollongong.
Huni though is considered the best heavyweight fighter in Australia and presents Gallen’s greatest test yet, with Michael Zerafa even declaring he will retire if the ex-Sharks captain comes out on top.