Teremoana Jnr has confirmed his eagerness for an all-Australian heavyweight blockbuster against Justis Huni, revealing he was only ever “half in” when the pair first threw down as hyped amateurs 10 years ago.
The declaration comes as the undefeated wrecking ball has also doubled down on his challenge to Australian heavyweight champ Stevan Ivic, saying: “I’ve said his name 10 times … what more can I do?”
Matchroom Boxing: Nicolson vs Turner | Wednesday 29 April from 7pm AEST | Watch Skye Nicolson vs Mariah Turner in an all-Aussie title showdown for the WBC Interim Super Bantamweight Championship | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Elsewhere, Teremoana also looks set to jet across the world and help ready UK superstar Anthony Joshua for his upcoming blockbuster against Tyson Fury, which was finally confirmed this week.
Currently on an undefeated tear of 10 straight wins, Teremoana has weighed in at 121kg for Wednesday night’s Matchroom slugfest against longtime domestic favourite, Bowie Tupou (130kg).
The Melbourne Pavilion main event is also now official, with Queenslander Skye Nicolson also making weight for her WBC interim super bantamweight defence against Mariah Turner.
There was however a brief scare after Turner weighed in slightly heavy on the scales. However the discrepancy was so slight that a second private weigh-in off stage – where the fighter removed her top behind a towel – was enough to make weight.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Teremoana said after winning on Wednesday night he then wants to go straight into an Aussie title fight – while also declaring himself keen to eventually throw down with Huni.
All of which comes after UK promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed earlier this week that a domestic pay-per-view between the two heavyweights he promotes could become reality within as little as six months.
Better, the pair have history.
It has now been 10 years since the pair first threw down at the Australian National Championships, with Huni earning a points decision inside the Gold Coast’s Paradise Point Bowls Club.
“A star is going to be born” | 02:12
“So it would be great to have another showdown in the pros,” Teremoana agreed.
“Right now though, we’re at different levels.
“I mean, Justis has already fought for a world title, while I haven’t even fought for the Australian title yet. I’m still a novice.
“But my goal is to become world champion, which means going through everyone who stands in my way. And if that eventually means Justis Huni, I’m all good for it.”
Quizzed on his loss to Huni in the amateurs, the heavyweight continued: “I never really enjoyed boxing when I was younger.
“I was only ever half in.
“But this sport, it’s about who wants it more.
“So for me to even be competing with fellas [like Huni] when I wasn’t wanting to box, that’s a statement in itself.
“It’s only since 2020, when I really wanted to come back – put in the hard work, been doing the extras – that I’ve enjoyed the success that has me here now.
“In that time I’ve fought at the Olympics, I’ve signed with Matchroom … having that success is all glory to God.”
Asked what, or who, he wanted in victory on Wednesday night and the fighter said an Australian title shot.
“I really want that challenge,” he said. “I want to start winning belts, and the first one is the Australian heavyweight title.
“And we all know who holds that.
“So whether he accepts the challenge or not, or if it has even been put to him yet, I don’t know.
“I stay away from all that rubbish.
“I just get in the gym, train and get the job done.
“But for the past five fights now I’ve said that I want the Aussie title.
“And I’ve said his name 10 times. So what more can I do?
“I’ll leave it up to my team. I’m just hoping to win Wednesday night, and come through unscathed, so we can go again.
“But right now, I can’t look past Bowie.
“I know one loss at this point in my career could put me back years.”
Already, Teremoana Jnr has declared himself set to be world champion within 18 months.
The now Brisbane-based fighter also revealed earlier this month that immediately after Wednesday’s fight is done, Hearn will be flying him across to the UK for sparring with some “well known” names.
Given Hearn looks after Anthony Joshua, there appears a strong chance Teremoana’s impending UK move could involve plenty of time with AJ, who has only this week signed off on a heavyweight blockbuster against Tyson Fury.
While no date or venue was given by Hearn when revealing the news, it is understood Joshua will first take a fight against Albania’s Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia in July.
While remaining tight-lipped on everything coming for himself, Teremoana confirmed himself keen to spar not only Joshua, but also Fury, Joseph Parker and new WBO heavyweight champ Fabio Wardley.
Quizzed on his plans for this year, Teremoana started: “The April fight will be my second this year.
“And then after that, we’ve still got another eight months to go. So if I can fight six times through there, that would be awesome.
“I just want to keep building. That way by the end of next year we can be fighting for a world title. That’s the goal.”
And as for whispers about him working with Joshua?
“I don’t want to say any names just yet,” he said. “But I know there’s been talks about me doing work with a few heavyweights who are well known.
“Eddie has already said after this fight I’ll head over to the UK for a camp.
“And it would definitely be great to work with those guys.
“AJ, Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker, even Fabio Wardley … I’m still learning the craft and to go a long way I need that experience.
“But nothing has come to fruition just yet. Although when it does, [laughs] I’ll definitely be posting it all over socials to show everyone.”
Discussion about this post