Australian Boxing/SM Memorial thread

Huni will fight Kam Kunkabayev in the semi-final. The Kazakh has made the last two World Amateur Championship finals & is top class. I think Huni's speed & athleticism will cause him massive problems though. I really like Huni to make a big statement & pull the upset.

And just a quick note for the commentators at the event - one mentioned a couple of times that Huni was the beneficiary of walkovers in the 2019 World Amateur Championships. That's nonsense. Huni had to win 3 fights in 3 days to get a bronze in Russia last year. He beat the fourth seed in the first round of the tournament to take his run in the draw.

The only walkover Justis Huni was involved in was when he himself didn't contest the semi-final due to illness. That was supposed to be against Kunkabayev who he will fight in two days' time.

The same commentator also mentioned that Justis is ranked #6 in the world in the Super Heavy division. No, that's not right either. He was ranked #4 in the world coming into this tournament & the Ukranian who was ranked #3 has recently turned pro. So that means the top 3 ranked amateur Super Heavies in the World right now are competing in this tournament.

 

He was a fair dinkum kind of bloke ,im drinking a cold tinnie to him and putting a shrimp on the barbie right now to him ,rest in peace u little ripper...

 

Bob getting senile in old age, cant see fury vs jay ever happening, Think tyson will retire after a couple more, also jay way to small. Cmon bob

 

I actually could see it happening. But it's entirely up to Jai. If he wins a world title at Cruiser, it becomes a realistic possibility.

I think it's great to put these plans in place & then work towards them.

Fury is the biggest name in world boxing right now but look at the opponents he has faced between big fights.

Jai Opetaia is the best big man in Australia (not including Justis Huni) & is the right man for the job if they were to bring Fury out here.

It seems far-fetched but really no more so than bringing Pacquiao out here to face Horn.

I think people in Sydney would get behind the young bloke.

 

Has Browne's fight been cancelled? Or is this bloke eating meals like this during training camp? LOL

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Johnny Nelson should go back to the matchroom love in that he's involved in. He knows nothing outside of the UK and should stay greasing up to Adam Smith and Eddie Hearn.

Great for NZ boxing that Nyika has qualified. First guy since 2004 from here with Soulan Pounceby being the last.

 

I don't mind Johnny Nelson's commentary but what was being said was factually wrong & diminished Huni's achievement at the World Amateur Championships. Huni won his medal fair & square by winning three fights in three days, not by being the beneficiary of walkovers. He didn't receive any walkover results to advance to the medal round. Not sure it was Johnny Nelson btw. His co-commentator was referring to him as "Ron".

I didn't realise it had been so long since NZ qualified a bloke for the Olympics. Nyika has the credentials to win a medal. He needs a good performance in the semi-final against the guy from Uzbekistan & then some decent sparring in the lead-up to the Olympics. If he ends up being the only NZ bloke who qualifies, they should bring him over to Australia to spar with Huni for a fortnight.

 

Yeah never been a fan of Nelson commentary wise as you could probably tell haha.

Agree on Nyika though. He hopefully will do what you said as there is very limited competition over here and it would make sense to go to Aussie and spar higher quality fighters.

 

@Sandman_ do you know if the kiwi Jerome Pampellone gets another shot at qualifying for the Olympics?

Tough draw taking on the no1 seeded world champ Kazakh in his first bout.

JP had such a good worlds.

 

His idea of a training camp is a F45 gym session with those PT instructors he uses...

 

Congrats to Paulo Aokuso at light heavy. I watched his 1st n 3rd bouts live, watched replay of 2nd bout vs seed (think world champ silver or bronze) Interesting match up in semi's vs Chinese boxer who is very very tall n uses height well for amatures... (I actually couldn't really see Chinese guy doin anything in pro's however is effective in amateur) Aokuso looks real good for Aussie, think he's 22yo, boxes with hands down, jab from wast, sthpaw n can change to orthodox, pretty decent speed, had a few different styles to contend with so far.....

Well, I watched Justis Huni replay, I see why alot on here excited by him, got caught with maybe 3 cleanish punches whole bout, used distance real well, like how he moves back with head movement mainly for defence and positioning, can lead or counter, used distance so well poor Kiwi guy who looked decent couldn't get punches off.. Big congrats, semi will be a great watch..... Also CAN and appears comfortable fighting on the inside....
ALL BEST TO BOTH BOYS FOR REST OF QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT AND OLYMPICS...

I'm actually enjoying watching few of amateur bouts, gotta work things out very quickly, skill levels high due to only 3x3 min rds, judging n scoring seems alot better than previous years, I can see little controversy due to the 10-8, 10-7 rd scores with no knockdowns however for the most part better man usually gets decision.....
Actual Olympics is exciting me a bit, Cubans n Russians gonna be tough n good to watch I imagine...
All best to our boys n I think 1 female who also qualified....

Really lookn fwd to watching both Aussie boys next bouts.... I won't be making any predictions regarding medals, but hope both can go far at Olympics..... Am also lookn fwd to other semi in Super heavys, Im going for the Indian guy to get the upset, also caught his bout before Huni n was ok to watch also......
Alot of different styles in amatures, can really see the class of the boxers who can work it out n adapt....

 

There's another qualifying tournament but it's by invite only. I'd imagine that Kiwi Super Heavy will get another crack so the same should go for the Kiwi Light Heavy. Of course, the home boxing authority will need to have enough money to send them across. I think it's in Paris in May.

 

* Mark Hunt has signed his side of contractual agreement to fight Paul Gallen
Sydney Wed May 20. Paul Gallen is close to signing on the dotted line. Turns
out Hunt despite his legal battles with Dana White he has invested his money
quite wisely and has openned three Live Well Health Clubs.
* Final World Qualifying Tournament is Paris 13 - 20 May . And will be only
open to the boxers who have not yet qualified.
* Blake Caparello vs Kiwi Robert Berridge May 1. RB was suppose to fight
Damien Hooper last Dec.
* Liam Paro WBO 2 chasing a title shot against WBO 1 Jack Catterall as
Jose Ramirez most likely vacate title after May fight.

 

Harry Garside lost a split decision overnight to a guy from Uzbekistan in the lightweight division (covers light welter these days). He gets another fight in a couple of days to try to qualify.

He's doing it the hard way but he's good enough to go to the Olympics so I reckon he'll get through.

Harry got dropped in the first 20 seconds of his bout which wasn't the start he needed. He's a skilful technician but someone who's definitely more suited to the amateur game rather than the pros.

More than 4 lightweights go through to the Olympics so quarter-final losers still have another chance of qualifying during this tournament. If 6 qualify, presumably all he needs to do is win his next fight against one of the other quarter final losers.

 

Sounds like Zerafa Mundine is set for June.... Oh dear...