Aussie star has ‘no idea’ what he’s being paid at $100m fight event as life-changing chance awaits

Australian heavyweight star Justis Huni is preparing to set up a permanent fight residency in the Middle East – plus placement on a unique ‘5v5’ tournament – despite having “no idea” what he is being paid in Saturday’s latest boxing extravaganza in Saudi Arabia.

The news comes as Gold Coast manager Mick Francis reveals both Huni and fellow client Jai Opetaia will spend “the next two years” fighting in Saudi Arabia as they look to win heavyweight and cruiserweight titles respectively.

Having started his professional career with eight straight wins – and more than a little injury bad luck — Huni is now set to throw down against South African Kevin Lerena (30-2) on a ‘Knockout Chaos’ card.

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Headlined by heavyweight superstars Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou, the card will be shown live in Australia on Main Event a represents easily the most important fight of the 24-year-old Queenslander’s career.

Yet while the two main eventers are being paid over $70 million USD ($A106m) combined, Huni has revealed to Fox Sports Australia he is yet to even ask Francis details of his own purse, stressing: “I’m not worried about money for this one”.

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While Opetaia has previously spoken of breaking $2 million for his hyped Saudi Arabian fight deal — insisting there is “no cap” on potential earning there – Huni also insists he will be looking to change his life, forever, this weekend.

Currently sitting at No.25 in the world heavyweight rankings, the Queenslander knows a win over Lerna should not only put him top 10 in at least two divisions, or into the top 15 overall, but capture the attention of some men with famously deep pockets.

Speaking from Riyadh, the heavyweight’s manager also said Huni is now being considered for a unique competition that will pit five of promoter Eddie Hearn’s best big men against a crew from rival stable, Queensberry Promotions.

The Gold Coast agent said a victory over Lerena would lift Huni into a showdown with the likes of world-title challengers Daniel Dubois or Joe Joyce.

According to reports, the event will take place on a June card headlined by Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

“I’ve told Justis ‘you win this fight, you’ll blow up’,” Francis said this week. “And he will.

“This is a huge opportunity, globally.”

Yet as for the coin?

While British superstar Joshua is earning a reported $50 million USD payday against former UFC champion Ngannou – who will himself jag $20 million USD – Huni stresses he took the fight without ever talking cash.

“To be honest,” he said, “I’ve got no idea what the payday is”.

Really?

“I’m not worried about the money for this one,” he stressed. “This fight is all about performing, getting eyeballs on me.

“That’s why I’m not worried about the purse.

“Because while I’m sure it will be good, I also know there are much bigger paydays coming if I do well.

“This opportunity, it’s massive for me.

“I’m young.

“This is only the beginning.

“I want to fight three, even four times this year.

“And while I don’t want to look too far ahead, I know the opportunity will eventually come where I’m headlining a show here myself.”

Francis said Opetaia would also spent “the next two years” fighting almost exclusively in the Middle East, starting with his upcoming IBF world title rematch with Mairis Briedis – who he famously defeated with a busted jaw in 2022

“Jai Opetia is a different beast now,” Francis said.

“That’s why nobody is calling him out.

“The idea that all these world champions want to fight him, it’s bulls…

“The only one who has officially said anything is Briedis, and that’s because he feels he has a point to prove.

“But you see the way Jai’s conducting himself now, it’s intense.

“It’s been this way his last two fights, he’s a much more aggressive fighter than he was before Briedis and that’s why he is becoming a superstar globally.

“He’s the baddest cruiserweight in the world and his fights will mainly be over here for the next two years.

“He will dominate the cruiserweight division, unify, then move up to heavyweight himself.”

Despite fighting on a card dubbed Knockout Chaos, Huni stressed he would not be chasing a finish as much as the type of performance that wins over the huge global audience.

“I definitely don’t feel any pressure to win by KO,” he said. “And won’t be chasing that.

“If it comes, great.

“But I just want to put on a clinic.

“A boxing master class.

“Hit and don’t get hit.

“Because my opponent, he’s tough.

“A front foot fighter and extremely explosive.

“But I’ve done a lot of study on him and we’ve good a good game plan to take into the ring.

“My speed and footwork will get it done.”