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Justis Huni was forced to pull himself out of a “negative space” following the devastating and unexpected passing of his head coach, Keri Fui.

The pair were gearing up for a rematch with Kiki Leutele in December, which would have been Huni’s first outing since his dramatic showdown with Fabio Wardley.

But instead of fighting on the Gold Coast, the Australian was left to process the sudden loss of Fui, who ultimately died from a coma after collapsing in the gym.

Speaking with Boxing News, Huni recalled his emotions in the wake of this tragic event, where he and his strength and conditioning coach had offered medical assistance to their friend and teammate.

“It was difficult at the time. It was a big thing for myself and my S&C trainer, to lose someone so close to us.

“It set me back a fair bit. I didn’t train for a while, but I needed to come back. The only thing that was going to make me happy, and pull me out of that negative space, was getting back into training.

“I just had to take a bit of time for myself, but now it’s time for the comeback. [Fui] was like a best friend to me, not just a coach. So, when he passed away, I told myself that everything I do from here will be for myself and for him.”

Now training with Aussie coach Josh Arnold, it seems that Huni is determined to honour Fui with a victory in his next assignment, which will see him face Frazer Clarke on Saturday.

The pair will collide on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Huni returning to the UK following his 10th-round stoppage defeat to Wardley last June.

Prior to the finish, the 26-year-old had crafted a handy lead with his superior IQ and fluid movement, only for a signature right hand from Wardley to halt proceedings in stunning fashion.

Huni, however, has only benefited from the overall experience at Portman Road, the home of Ipswich Town Football Club.

“I enjoyed it. It was a big lesson to go over there, fighting in his backyard, and walk out to a full stadium of people booing me. But it was a good experience. It’s something I’ll never forget, and I took a lot away from it.

“I went into that fight with a short camp, a few injuries, and had no expectations. But I feel like that was the best I’ve ever fought, so I’ll be looking to come back over there and fight exactly the same [way].”

While he must first take care of business against Clarke, Huni can certainly see himself entering a rematch with Wardley, the WBO world champion, at some point down the line.

“The Fabio Wardley fight was just a rare occasion; I never thought I would take a fight that big so early on in my career.

“But it happened, and I showed that I belong on that stage, so the sky’s the limit.

“I would love the rematch. I believe that with a full camp, and going into it injury-free, it would be a lot different.”

Wardley, of course, must remain focused on defending his WBO title against Daniel Dubois on May 9, while Huni has been presented with no easy touch against Olympic bronze medallist Clarke, either.

But while their potential rematch might seem a million miles away, Huni will surely be gunning for a revenge mission in the not too distant future.

WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia appears to have had a change of plan when it comes to his future, seemingly looking elsewhere after previously announcing his next opponent.

‘King Ry’ dominated his clash against Mario Barrios back in February, utilising the right-hook, rather than his trademark left, to catch ‘El Azteca’ by surprise and comfortably claim a unanimous decision win to finally get his hands on world honours.

That triumph seemed to tee up a grudge match rematch and now title unification against fierce rival and WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney, but the latter was instead targeting an alternate champion in Rolando Romero (WBA).

Then, at the beginning of the month, Garcia revealed that he would be taking on Teofimo Lopez on Saturday, July 25, but collapsed talks for a fight between Haney and Romero seem to have intervened on those plans.

Instead, on a Kick stream, Garcia told UFC lightweight title hopeful Arman Tsarukyan that he is currently hoping that the Haney rematch can happen next.

“Hopefully, [it is Devin Haney next]. He doesn’t really want to call me out, I put a lot of fear into him last time.”

Additionally, WBC mandatory challenger Conor Benn is intending on fighting Garcia later this year, but a unification bout between Garcia and Haney would trump any mandated fight between Benn and the WBC champion.

Haney-Garcia II was previously touted for September, with Haney wanting a fight beforehand, seeking to give himself the optimal chance to right the wrongs of their initial encounter.

“What he’s done in his last several outings is show that he is not just a good fighter, he’s a very good fighter. He’s an elite fighter,” Kellerman said of Hitchins. “Now the question is, can he become a great fighter?”

“I just feel like Zuffa is seeing my career the way I want to see my career,” Hitchins said. “I want a promoter to be screaming. I’m the best in the world. Pound for pound.”

“Edgar started his career with 16 straight knockouts that captured the public’s imagination,” Kellerman said. “No matter who they put you in with, that’s hard to do.”

“He really was the victim of his own success. He had almost no professional experience. Now he’s being put in tougher situations and has to figure it out on the fly.”

Kellerman also referenced Berlanga going the distance with Canelo Alvarez. “That’s very hard to do. It shows a level of character,” he said. “Is the seek-and-destroy guy still in there. That’s going to be interesting to watch.”

“I think now it’s time for me to bring that old Edgar back,” Berlanga said. “It don’t have to be first round, but just breaking people’s faces. Putting them on stretches.”

“They are important pieces. Important bricks in the wall,” Kellerman said. “Most professional fighters can walk down the street and not get recognized. That’s about to change.”

Some fan reaction on X focused on Kellerman’s tone during the exchange.

“Boy Max is trying hard to sell theses mfs” — @Wxggxvxllx

“Max is a salesman” — @CashmereStar

“We are sick to death Of max. ABSOLUTE SHILL” — @SportsAgent11

“16 KOs against taxi drivers, what is #Berlanga’s record against Elites???” — @Peso_Lex

“Max fumbling about with his notes. Probably never heard of either guy.” — @Jimsuts17

“Jeez man” — @dexter13883

Both fighters are expected to debut under the Zuffa banner later this year.

Canelo Alvarez is hoping to bounce back from a first super-middleweight defeat upon his ring return later this year and it is quickly becoming clear which belt he will target.

Last September, the Mexican superstar lost out to Terence Crawford in a fight that will be spoken of for years to come. Canelo underwent elbow surgery after the contest, which is expected to keep him out of the ring until this autumn.

In recent weeks, it has become increasingly expected that Canelo will jump back into an immediate title challenge against Cameroon-born Christian Mbilli – who was elevated to full WBC super-middleweight world champion earlier in the year.

On Thursday, Mbilli’s promoter, Camille Estephan, watched on as another of his fighters, Osleys Iglesias, captured the IBF super-middleweight world title in style. During the post-fight interview, Estephan made it clear that Canelo ‘wants’ to win his WBC belt back, but vowed that Mbilli will overcome him.

“Canelo will hopefully fight Christian [Mbilli]. He seems to want the WBC title. We’re not gonna give it to him. We will beat him. We want to have all the titles in Quebec, all five, soon enough.

“We [Mbilli and Osleys Iglesias] are gonna get all the other titles, and then they’ll fight and we’ll have the superstar out of Quebec right here.”

Elsewhere, both the WBA and WBO super-middleweight titles are on the line next month, in separate bouts involving Jose Armando Resendiz and Jaime Munguia (May 2, for Resendiz’s WBA title), and then Hamzah Sheeraz and Alem Begic (May 23, for the vacant WBO).

Keeping the spare tire while losing muscle in the shoulders and chest suggests Fury’s body might have been burning muscle for fuel during camp.

It did not look like an in-shape Tyson Fury, especially when you compare it to the version of him that showed up for the Usyk fights.

It’s a classic case of skinny-fat. Despite Fury being lighter, the skin around his waist is loose, and he still has that noticeable spare tire. It suggests he lost weight through inactivity or a rushed diet rather than a structured strength and conditioning camp.

This is Fury’s first fight back after a 16-month layoff and two grueling losses to Usyk. That much time away, combined with a physique that looks aged rather than “rested,” is a massive red flag.

Comparing this image to the Makhmudov weigh-in shot is night and day. Makhmudov at 265 lbs looks like he’s carved out of granite.

If Fury is really planning to “knock his head off,” he’s going to need to find some explosive power that simply isn’t visible on his frame right now. He looks like a man who has lost the weight but kept the rust.

If Fury is physically weaker due to this weight drop, he might struggle to keep a powerhouse like Makhmudov off him on Saturday.

“I feel actually sorry for Arslanbek Makhmudov,” Fury said during fight week. “I’m going to make an example of him. He will not be able to get out of the way of me, and I’ll knock his head right off his shoulders.”

Claiming to feel “sorry” for an opponent is a psychological power move designed to make Makhmudov feel small.

In boxing, the guy who says he feels “sorry” for his opponent is usually the one in for a rude awakening if things don’t go perfectly. Makhmudov isn’t a “dance partner” here to help Fury look good; he’s a dangerous puncher who looks like he’s in the best shape of his career.

 

Sheeraz was asked about Canelo’s standing at #1 in The Ring rankings and said it can be justified based on his record, while also pointing to the next group of fighters pushing for opportunities. He said the division is moving toward a point where those contenders need to be matched against the top name.

“You could say he is because of what he’s done, but at the same time, you’ve got these young guns coming through like myself,” said Sheeraz to InsideRingShow, when asked about his thoughts on Canelo being ranked #1 at super middleweight with Ring Magazine.

“I think it’s time for him to give us the opportunity to prove ourselves and take over that #1 spot.”

Sheeraz said he had previously been linked to a fight with Canelo, including discussions about being next in line depending on the results at the time. He said those talks never materialized into a finalized bout.

“I’ve always had talks about being an opponent for him, but it’s never really happened,” said Sheeraz.

Canelo’s position at the top of the division remains tied to his past run at 168, though activity and matchmaking have become part of the discussion among contenders looking for title opportunities.

Sheeraz said his focus has shifted toward staying active and taking the fights available, rather than waiting on a single opponent.

“You can only fight who they put in front of you and who is available at the time,” said Hamzah.

Hamzah has not yet been matched with several of the leading names at 168, including Osleys Iglesias and Christian Mbilli. His recent results include a win over Edgar Berlanga and a draw with Carlos Adames, which drew mixed reactions. Fights against the current group of contenders would further define his position in the division.

Hearn addressed the situation after reports circulated that both fights were done deals. He said discussions are ongoing, particularly for the Foster-Ford matchup, which has been in development between promoters.

“Mike Coppinger kindly announced two fights that are 100% not done or not signed,” said Hearn to Matchroom.

“We are in deep discussions, particularly about O’Shaquie Foster against Ray Ford.”

Hearn said efforts are focused on finalizing the Foster-Ford fight first, describing it as close but not yet complete.

“We are trying to finalize that fight and get it over the line and signed. It’s not yet, but I think there’s a very good chance.”

The Mason-Cordina bout, he added, is also under discussion but requires more work before reaching an agreement.

“There’s a bit more work to do in that one, but it’s in active discussions,” said Hearn.

The Foster-Ford matchup has been a target fight at 130 pounds, with Foster holding the WBC title and Ford moving up after competing at featherweight. Both fighters have been linked through cross-promotional talks involving Matchroom and Top Rank.

Hearn said ongoing cooperation between promoters has helped move negotiations forward, though no deal has been signed.

“Those conversations are fluid with everybody,” he said.

The update points to the difference between reported agreements and finalized contracts, with both fights still dependent on ongoing talks. No date has been set for either fight as talks between the promoters are still ongoing.

Iglesias controlled the fight early and forced Silyagin onto the back foot, with the challenger unable to continue after sustained pressure. The win adds the IBF belt to his IBO title and places him among the key names at 168 following Terence Crawford vacating the division.

“Mom, I’m finally a double world champion, but I’ve got more left to go to be undisputed.”

Osley’s promoter, Camille Estephan, revealed his plan for him to collect the remaining belts, pointing to the current titleholders and contenders in the division.

“We have two titles, and we’re going to get them, whoever has them,” Estephan said.

Estephan said the aim is to target each champion in sequence rather than rush into immediate unification bouts. He also named potential opponents across the division, including Caleb Plant, Jaime Munguia, and Jose Armando Resendiz.

The belts have been split up since Terence Crawford retired. Christian Mbilli holds the WBC title and shares a promoter with Iglesias, but that matchup is being held back for later.

Iglesias’ performance against Silyagin positions him as an immediate factor at the top level, with his knockout rate and forward style standing out among the current group of champions.

The focus now shifts to which titleholders will be targeted next as his team moves toward a full unification run.

With the IBF belt secured, Iglesias now moves into a stronger position at 168, and his next opponent will likely come from the group of current titleholders or leading contenders.

Following his retirement, Terence Crawford has made way for new stars to take over his former divisions, with the next 18 months set to be telling as boxing discovers its new pound-for-pound contenders.

Crawford claimed the undisputed super-lightweight world title when he defeated Julius Indongo back in 2017 and replicated the feat up at welterweight six years later with a dominant triumph over Errol Spence Jr.

The Omaha operator then stepped up to super-welterweight, where he dethroned Israil Madrimov upon his 154lb debut to claim the WBA world title, before a shocking jump up to super-middleweight.

Up at 168lbs, Crawford registered a legacy-defining triumph over then undisputed ruler Canelo Alvarez, which is sure to be spoken of for generations to come. Soon afterwards his retirement was announced, leaving the super-middleweight titles fragmented.

Now, at super-welterweight, it appears as though the champions are ready and willing to fight both the top contenders and one another, with Xander Zayas recently becoming boxing’s youngest unified world champion and then signing for a fight with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

However, on social media, Crawford highlighted the quality of a different super-welterweight world champion, believing that nobody in the division is capable of defeating WBC titleholder Sebastian Fundora.

Right now, no

— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) March 30, 2026

Remarkably, despite fighting six weight divisions (including bridgerweight) below heavyweight, the appropriately nicknamed ‘Towering Inferno’ is boxing’s tallest active world champion, boasting a 6’5” frame that has proven difficult for his super-welterweight rivals to overcome.

Fundora returned to action last month, claiming a dominant stoppage victory over Keith Thurman to retain his WBC title, and it will certainly be a tough ask for anybody to defeat him. Intriguing future fights include a unification with the winner of Zayas and ‘Boots’.