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Aussie beast makes boxing history with incredible debut KO

Justis Huni is pictured landing a punch on Faiga Opelu during their heavyweight bout.
Justis Huni punches Faiga Opelu in his way to victory in their Australian heavyweight title bout. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

He's no household name but Justis Huni may soon change that after making Australian boxing history in Brisbane.

The 21-year-old became the first Australian male boxer to claim a national heavyweight title on professional debut after emerging triumphant against reigning champ Faiga Opelu (13-1-2, 10 KO record) with a seventh-round stoppage.

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"It feels bloody amazing, to do it on debut is incredible," Huni said after the scheduled 10-round bout.

"This is only the beginning and you will be seeing a lot more of me."

It was impressive stuff - but if all goes to plan Huni is only just getting started.

A super heavyweight bronze medallist at the 2019 amateur world titles, Huni has not only qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in that weight division but has been touted as Australian boxing's best hope for gold if the Games go ahead next year.

Huni is still able to contest Tokyo as an amateur as long as he only contests up to 10 pro bouts ahead of the 2021 Games.

He has made it clear he wants gold in Japan but it pales in comparison to his bold plans in the professional ranks.

Huni's dream is to not only win the world heavyweight crown but unify the titles - a quest that has already been fast-tracked.

Justis Huni keeping eyes on Olympic prize

Huni's promoter Dean Lonergan - the man who masterminded the Jeff Horn juggernaut - is adamant Huni can follow in Briton great Anthony Joshua's footsteps and secure a world title in 16 fights, with a bout planned every two months.

"The reason I turned pro was to stay active for the Olympics," Huni said.

"I don't feel the pressure. I have been doing this a long time and this is what I deserve.

"One hundred per cent I can win a world title but I have a long way to go so I have to take it fight by fight."

And in a spicy subplot, Thursday night's program headliner previewed a future obstacle for Huni.

Justis Huni is pictured after defeating Faiga Opelu.
Justis Huni made Australian boxing history on Thusday night when he defeated Faiga Opelu to win the heavyweight title on his professional fighting debut. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Jai Opetaia (20-0 record), No.4 in the IBF rankings, has a world cruiserweight title in his immediate sights, an ambition that is on track after he claimed a sixth stoppage in his re-match against Ben Kelleher for the WBO Global and IBF Asia-Oceania titles.

But Opetaia made it clear he hoped to step up a division once his cruiserweight dream is realised.

He has a grand plan to add the heavyweight crown to his resume, putting Huni directly in his sights in what many are predicting will be a mega fight between the pair within two years.

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