‘He was foaming at the mouth’: The horror collapse that has rocked Justis Huni ahead of ring return

Justis Huni is no stranger to setbacks ahead of a big fight.

Like the time his family home was sprayed with gunfire, or having to sack his father as his trainer or going into his last fight shortly after having an operation to remove three bones in his elbow.

Heavyweight boxer Justis Huni will headline a fight card on the Gold Coast next month.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

But nothing could prepare Australia’s best heavyweight boxer for what happened on Wednesday.

During a routine conditioning session, Huni’s recently promoted head trainer Keri Fiu stepped off his training bike and fell to the floor.

“Within the next five seconds, everything just declined,” Huni said on Thursday.

“He was laying on the ground, he was like out of it. He was foaming at the mouth, blood was coming out of his eyes, he was gone.

Australian heavyweight boxer Justis Huni (right) with trainer Keri Fiu.

“My strength and conditioning trainer, he’s done his CPR, he just kept pumping and pumping.”

The pair were able to resuscitate Fiu, but rather than preparing Huni for a fight, the trainer is fighting for life.

“He’s still in an induced coma in the ICU at the moment,” Huni said. “It’s sad to see someone so close to me in that way. I never thought I would see that in my life. He’s breathing. It’s up to him now to wake up. I’m praying for him.”

It is hardly the preparation Huni was hoping for ahead of a fight that could shape his world title aspirations. Huni will return to the ring in a rematch against New Zealand’s Kiki Leutele at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on December 6. It will be part of a Ring of Fire fight card that is headlined by Australia’s IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia’s mandatory defence against Huseyin Cinkara, an event that will be shown live and exclusively on Stan Pay-Per-View (which, like this masthead, is owned by Nine Entertainment), for $50.

Former NRL footballer Paul Gallen takes more punishment from heavyweight Justis Huni in their 2021 bout.Credit: Getty Images

Opetaia was unable to travel to Sydney for a promotional visit on Thursday due to his sick baby, and Huni also thought about pulling out after his own setback.

“I didn’t get any sleep last night because the events that happened yesterday just kept replaying in my head,” said Huni, who beat Leutele via points in their entertaining first fight.

“I wasn’t even sure if I was gonna come here but … I know he wouldn’t want me to pass up this opportunity, so I’m just gonna keep pushing on and doing it for him. He’s in my prayers right now.”

Huni has long been considered a generational talent, but setbacks have punctuated his career. The Queenslander is the only man to have stopped Paul Gallen, but suffered hand injuries against the former NRL player in their 2021 bout that prevented him from participating in the Tokyo Olympics that year. Huni was the gold medal favourite. There have been a spate of other injuries, while away from the ring his home was splattered with bullets in a drive-by shooting before his win over fellow Australian Joe Goodall.

“There’s always something,” Huni quipped.

Huni’s last fight, against undefeated British boxer Fabio Wardley in June, resulted in the Australian’s first loss. However, Huni can take many positives out of that experience.

The 26-year-old went into the fight on five weeks notice, with significant bicep and elbow injuries that prevented him from sparring, and still easily led all judges scorecards until he walked into a right hand in the 10th that knocked him out.

Wardley has subsequently beaten former WBO champion Joseph Parker to set up a potential crack at heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.

“It’s given me a belief that I’m on that level,” Huni said of his performance against Wardley. “I’m excited for what the future has for me.”

You can purchase the Ring of Fire fight card on Saturday 6 December, live & exclusive on Stan Pay-Per-View for $50.

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading