Justis Huni produced a similar result in a new setting.
The unbeaten Australian heavyweight prospect went the full ten-round distance in a well-earned, unanimous decision win over former cruiserweight title challenger Andrew Tabiti. The judges were wide with their scores (100-90, 98-92, 98-92) in an otherwise competitive DAZN-aired co-feature Saturday evening at Poliforum Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico.
This same pairing was previously slated to take place on the Regis Prograis-Danielito Zorrilla undercard this past June 17 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The night would have marked the U.S. debut for Brisbane’s Huni, who was forced to postpone after he suffered a torn ligament during training camp.
Instead, Huni settled for his first general fight outside of Australia as he boxed his way to victory over a rugged and determined Tabiti.
Huni used his long jab to set up his power shots and work his way inside. His combinations were effective both at long range and at close quarters, as Tabiti often found himself pinned against the ropes.
Tabiti was successful in spots, particularly late in the fight. The Chicago-born, Las Vegas-based boxer landed rapid fire right hands upstairs and also targeted the tall and lean frame of Huni, who handled the incoming well and rode out such moments before he proceeded with his own offensive attack.
The night marked the fifth straight time that Huni (8-0, 4KOs) has seen the tenth round. All but one have gone to the scorecards, including each of his last three. Despite the hard-fought bout, Huni suggested he would like to return as soon as December, if only to atone for a near yearlong layoff headed into Saturday’s bout.
Headlining the show, WBC junior lightweight titlist O’Shaquie Foster (20-2, 11KOs) travels from the greater Houston area for his first title defense versus Mexico City’s Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez (34-1, 31KOs).
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox