Justis Huni’s USA trip has paired the rising Australian heavyweight boxer with a former trainer of the legendary Manny Pacquiao.
Justis and his dad Rocki flew out of Sydney last week to spend just over a month under the expertise of Justin Fortune, a fellow Australian who spent nearly 20 years as Pacquiao’s strength-and-conditioning coach.
Justis has joined forces with Fortune as he zeroes in on a seven-fight 2022 campaign, beginning with a clash with fellow Australian Joseph Goodall in Brisbane on February 4.
READ MORE: ‘Disgusted’ Red Bull threatens to quit Formula 1
READ MORE: Wrestling icon dies after triple amputation
READ MORE: NRL boss issues ominous COVID-19 warning
Justis’ brush with Filipino boxing great Pacquiao has left the 22-year-old pinching himself, Rocki says.
“We’re pretty fortunate to be in the position that we’re in,” Rocki told Wide World of Sports.
“It’s all thanks to the team – (promoter) Dean Lonergan, (matchmaker) Stuart Duncan – to get this opportunity to train with a legend like Justin Fortune.
“Manny Pacquiao is a legend. I don’t think there will ever be another Manny Pacquiao. What he did for the sport and for his community is something that we dream about doing. To do half of what he’s done would be an awesome career.”
The Huni camp is also hoping to visit the iconic Wild Card gym in Los Angeles, which would link Justis with the man who served as Pacquiao’s chief trainer: Freddy Roach.
The American has trained Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Mike Tyson, James Toney and a long list of other world champions.
Sweating through sessions with Roach would be an incredible opportunity for Huni, especially at such an early point in his career, as he looks to build on his 5-0-0 (four knockouts) professional record.
“Justin Fortune is good mates with Freddy Roach, so we’re hoping to get to the Wild Card gym at some point,” Rocki said.
“Hopefully Freddy can also share some of his knowledge, as well, like he’s helped so many fighters in the past.”
Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to have won a world title in eight different weight divisions.
In Justis’ most recent fight, the Queenslander defeated NRL legend Paul Gallen via a 10th-round technical knockout in June.
Huni broke a hand during that fight, dashing his Tokyo OIympic dream.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!