Australian heavyweight Justis Huni has tested positive for COVID-19 while in Los Angeles, with his preparations for a February 4 showdown with Joe Goodall thrown into chaos.
Working in the United States with Manny Pacquiao’s former trainer, Justin Fortune, Huni’s camp was dealt a blow last week after the 22-year-old contracted the coronavirus.
Huni battled over the weekend with fevers and body aches, while his father and trainer Rocki Huni told foxsports.com.au that his son still has a cough and sore throat.
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Both Rocki and Justis, who are double-vaccinated, are currently quarantining in their LA accommodation.
“We were super safe over here,” Rocki said. “We’re always wearing masks everywhere we go … we didn’t see this coming.”
Rocki made clear it’s still too early to say whether the Goodall fight will be postponed, with a follow-up test next week likely to decide what happens moving forward.
The all-Australian showdown will be the biggest boxing test of Huni’s career, after he dealt comfortably with Paul Gallen earlier in the year.
“The training’s been awesome,” Rocki said of his son’s work in Los Angeles.
“We’re both learning new stuff over here, and we’re really looking forward to this fight.
“Working with Justin has been great just to speed up the process from being an amateur to a pro — sitting on his punches, just more aggression.”
Justis and Rocki are currently scheduled to arrive back in Australia on January 14.
