British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn will be ringside to witness Justis Huni in the flesh against Joe Goodall on Wednesday night in Brisbane.
Both men have hit the scales before the clash at Nissan Arena in what’s been touted as the biggest heavyweight bout in this country in more than 100 years.
Speaking at Tuesday’s weigh-in, Huni, 23, promised a “war” with his former sparring partner, in what has so far been a tame lead-up with both fighters clearly focused on the job at hand.
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“I’m going to go out there and go for war and come back victorious,” Huni said after weighing in at 110.05kg.
“Look, he said he’s going to come and bang and I’m going to do the exact same.”
Goodall came in lighter at 108.6kg with several people in boxing circles expressing surprise with how lean the heavyweight challenger looked.
“I think it’s going to be a great fight for the Australian people and hopefully it ends in a stoppage for the Australian people,” Goodall said after hitting the scales.
Huni has not fought since his TKO win over Paul Gallen in June last year. The delay for his next fight has come despite announcing at the end of 2021 that his camp had seven fights on the horizon. Two bouts of COVID-19, injuries to opponents and changes to the card stopped him from moving forward.
The winner on Wednesday night will automatically enter the top 15 of three of boxing’s four sanctioning bodies, meaning a shot at a world title will be within reach.
Hearn, the Matchroom Sport chairman and promoter of former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, will be in attendance, and a strong victory will open up several doors for Huni.
It’s understood Hearn will also have a keen eye on the Aussie talent on the show.
Huni is tipped to have a two more fights in Australia before making his international debut in the near future, while Goodall could just as well leapfrog Huni with victory.
The pair have sparred over 200 rounds together, although most of it was when Huni was 17.
Both have won bronze medals at the world championships with Goodall, 29, becoming the first to win a medal for Australia at the event in 26 years before Huni did it two years later.
Not since Jack Johnson became the first African-American world heavyweight champion when he beat Canadian Tommy Burns in Sydney in 1908 has there been a bigger heavyweight clash in Australia, according to promoter Dean Lonergan.
“It’s probably the best heavyweight fight in Australia in 100 years,” Lonergan said.
“It’s a fight that seriously concerns me.
“Goodall wouldn’t be half the fighter he is now a year ago.”
When is Huni vs. Goodall
Huni and Goodall will now meet on Wednesday, June 15 after the fight was postponed when Huni contracted COVID-19 twice in a matter of weeks. The heavyweight champion tested positive during camp in the US and again when he returned to Australia.
Goodall is in some serious shape after linking up with Kiwi trainer Kevin Barry in Las Vegas and is currently 8-0 with 6 of his wins coming by way of knockout in the first round.
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What time is Huni vs. Goodall
Word is the main event will take place at around 10pm.
Doors open at at 5.30pm if you’re attending the fight, while the broadcast begins at 6pm on Fox Sports, before it switches to pay-per-view on Main Event at 7pm.
Where is Huni vs. Goodall
Huni and Goodall will fight at Nissan Arena in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan, with both fighters having strong links to the area.
Huni lives in Logan in Brisbane’s south, while Goodall, lived and trained at the River City’s Stretton Boxing Club for nine years.
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How to watch Huni vs. Goodall
Fans can tune into Huni vs. Goodall on Foxtel’s pay-per-view service Main Event from 7pm.
The fight costs $59.95.
Some of the undercard fight will be featured live on Fox Sports from 6pm before the pay-per-view broadcast begins.
Huni vs. Goodall tickets
Tickets for the bout are available now through Ticketek.
Huni vs. Goodall odds
Bookmaker Palmerbet currently has Huni as a $1.35 favourite, while Goodall is a $2.90 outsider.
Fight Card
Card subject to change.
Justis Huni vs. Joe Goodall – Heavyweight
Andrei Mikhailovich vs. Ernesto Espana – Middleweight
Luke Boyd vs. Shamal Ram Anuj – Super-bantamweight
Taylah Robertson vs. Gretel De Paz – Super-flyweight
Jack Gipp vs. Frances Waitai – Super-middleweight
Hone Huni vs. Thomas Wilkins – Super-middleweight
Toese Vousiutu vs. Ben Sosoli – Heavyweight
Austin Aokuso vs. Louis Masters – Heavyweight
Bryce McLachlan vs. Dan Hill – Light-heavyweight
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