Justis Huni OUT Of Tokyo Olympics Due To Injury

During the heated build-up to their all-Aussie heavyweight clash, Paul Gallen said this to Justis Huni: "I'm going to be doing everything I can to make sure you don't go to the Olympics. That dream you've had since you were seven years old is going to be f**ked."

Well, it seems former rugby league player Gallen wasn't wrong.

Huni's Olympic aspirations have been sent crashing down after he officially withdrew from the Australian boxing team heading to Tokyo.

It's understood the 22-year-old suffered an injury to his left hand during the victory over Gallen which he'll require surgery to fix.

He took to social media to announce the devastating news.

Huni took a huge risk in fighting ex-NRL star Gallen just a matter of months away from an Olympic Games.

On the night, that gamble seemed to pay off with Huni showcasing his ability to score an impressive TKO victory over his previously-undefeated rival.

But now, less than a week after the bout, he's probably regretting his decision to even fight in the first place.

"Boxing Australia is getting a second opinion on the injury," Huni's father and trainer Rocki said.

"He damaged both hands but the right hand was fine. We got away with it just with a needle.

"His left hand didn't fare so well.

"I was told by the surgeon that he needs surgery in the tendon.

"He'd be absolutely shattered to miss the Olympics. It's just not good."

Main Event

It's understood Huni has been nursing the injured hand for the last few months but still insisted on going toe-to-toe with Gallen earlier this month.

In the bout itself, Huni showed just why he's tipped for greatness.

Not only did he drop former Cronulla Sharks captain Gallen a couple of times before eventually getting the stoppage, but us boxing fans also got to see just how fast his hands and head movement really is.

Unfortunately for Huni (and the Australian boxing team), he'll have to wait another three years for his Olympic dreams to finally come true.

Topics: olympics, Boxing News, Paul Gallen, Tokyo Olympics, Injury news, Boxing, justis huni, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry