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Australian heavyweight Justis Huni will defend his IBO Global title on Wednesday night on the Gold Coast after bravely brushing aside bone chips in his elbow.
Australia's great heavyweight hope Justis Huni will fight through pain again when he defends his IBO Global title against a South African opponent known as "God's Warrior".
Undefeated Huni (11-0) and Shaun Potgieter (10-1) will fight on Wednesday at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre as the prelude to the IBF cruiserweight world title fight between Jai Opetaia and David Nyika.
Huni, 25, has two bone chips in an elbow for which he will undergo surgery after the Potgieter clash.
"I will deal with it after the fight. I am not worried about it right now," Huni told AAP.
"I am focused on getting the job done. It's just a little elbow injury so I don't over-think it. It is what it is. It comes and goes but it is good enough to go on the night."
Huni has fought through multiple hand injuries in the past and had operations that have kept him out for lengthy periods but it hasn't stopped him winning.
"We have had the MRI and we just want to get through this fight," Huni's coach Mark Wilson told AAP.
"He hit pads on Saturday and was very strong. We will do another session on Monday. He has not fought uninjured since his second pro fight. He has always had an injury and has fought through it."
Huni, ranked No.5 in the world by the WBO and No.13 and No.15 respectively with the IBF and WBC, stopped Argentina's Leandro Daniel Robutti in the second round on December 11 in Brisbane.
He hopes to keep clocking up the wins and then challenge for a world title inside two years.
"That's the goal. I want to headline shows like this," Huni said.
"It is awesome to have someone like Jai to look up to and follow in those footsteps. It is up to me now to get the job done.
"I am feeling good. Mentally and physically I am ready to go. I believe I was made for these moments.
"I take one fight at a time. I haven't put a time limit on a world title fight. If I continue to keep winning my time will come.
"Keeping busy is the best way to keep me focused. It keeps me fit. I have a three of four-week turnaround from my last fight. I am pumped."
Huni is at his best when boxing to his strengths, which explains his positive mindset.
"I am back to moving my feet and boxing. That is when I was at my best," he said.
"That is when I was the hype, and doing things as a heavyweight that middleweight fighters do. I am not the biggest heavyweight so I have got to use what I have to my advantage, which is having that speed."
Huni's return to his former amateur coach Wilson appears to have been good for him.
"Justis is happy and enjoying it again now. He is back doing what everyone knew him for," Wilson said.
"When he was in the amateurs he was one of the best movers in the world. Everyone could see that with his speed, footwork, angles and great technique that gives him that extra power."
