Justis Huni vs. Kevin Lerena set for Joshua/Ngannou Undercard.

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by CroBox29, Feb 6, 2024.

  1. CroBox29

    CroBox29 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Good fight.
     
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  2. Sandman_

    Sandman_ Undisputed Full Member

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    Interesting fight. I think they're pushing Huni too hard too early but we'll see.
     
  3. The Cryptkeeper

    The Cryptkeeper Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Excellent matchup for Huni who will get valuable rounds out of this.
     
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  4. piprules

    piprules Well-Known Member Full Member

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    It’s a very respectable fight for a fighter with less than ten fights. Larena had ddd rocked bad in the first round of their fight so he is no mug.
     
  5. MidniteProwler

    MidniteProwler Fab 4. Mayor of Aussie Boxing Full Member

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    If Huni can beat the New South Wales Warrior the G Train Paul Gallen he will have no problems with this Larena bloke.
     
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  6. KiwiMan

    KiwiMan Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    They all want to get in on the Saudi money while it's there. I think Huni will be okay in this one, Lerena is not the biggest puncher (Dubois fight notwithstanding).
     
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  7. 007 373 5963

    007 373 5963 Active Member Full Member

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    Not familiar with either, other than looking at their boxrec stats. Who's the upside in this one?
     
  8. CST80

    CST80 De Omnibus Dubitandum Staff Member

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    His power is underrated and it's certainly enough to tame the aggression of face first brawlers like Huni. Huni looked very beatable and even got stunned a few times against Tabiti, in his second match at HW, with no decent wins under his belt. Lerena has KO'd Dinu, dominated Wach, Merhy and Gashi, and came within a hair of scoring a KO1 victory over Dubois. Lerena is a slick southpaw as well, something Huni hasn't fought yet in his short career. While I like Huni and will be rooting for him, and intensely dislike Lerena and will be rooting against him. This is a big time banana peel fight.
     
  9. KiwiMan

    KiwiMan Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yeah that's true, he isn't as featherfisted as 14 KOs from 30 wins would suggest. What sort of chance would you give Lerena?
     
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  10. CST80

    CST80 De Omnibus Dubitandum Staff Member

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    When you were quoting me, I added a bit about Lerena being a slick southpaw, something Huni has not yet faced as a pro, so there's a possibility that he'll be woefully inadequate defending against Lerena's counters, which could potentially make them twice as dangerous. At this point, I'd say it was 60/40 in Lerena's favor.
     
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  11. MrPook

    MrPook Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Just going off some clips and their records this seems like a massive step up for Huni.
     
  12. iceferg

    iceferg Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I don't think any cruiser or bridgerweight has an easy night with Lerena with the exception of Usyk.
     
  13. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Lerena is a very well schooled and skilled boxer puncher with a good chin and, as CST said, underrated power, especially up at HW where he looks explosive with the added bulk and weight.

    He was very unlucky against Dubois because not only did the round conveniently end 10 seconds early when Dubois was in desperate trouble but the ref dived in and waved the fight off right at the end of the round when Lerena had been hurt and was in trouble. Had the roles been reversed the ref would've afforded Dubois to return to his corner and try and recover during the 60 second interval.

    There's no shame in getting dropped and hurt and stopped albeit controversially by a naturally much bigger Dubois either because he hits crazy hard and is one of the biggest punchers in the division.

    I've not seen much of Hunsi but he looks quality from the little I have seen. But let's not forget when he fought Tabiti he was stepping down in class from Down Under Level to US level and all things being fair I would always expect a US level fighter to come up short against a representative of one of the many superior boxing nations
     
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  14. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Good fight to propel Huni. Lerena, love him or hate him, has earned a ranking.
     
  15. The Cryptkeeper

    The Cryptkeeper Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Huni is a beautiful boxer, very skilled and great defensively but still needs to develop his power. He's young though and is very highly rated in Australia. If he can find a bit more power and if his largely untested chin holds up then he's going to be a force to be reckoned with for the next decade.

    Lerena is a very honest fighter and a match for most. His CV is stronger but his ceiling is likely lower.

    I think Huni wins by wide UD. I don't see a KO but that is predicated on Huni being untested and the possibility that Lerena may catch him and we find out whether Huni is chinny or not. That is the unknown but on raw ability Huni wins this assuming he can take a shot or two coming back at him.