Australian heavyweight prospect Justis Huni was all set to burst onto the U.S. scene before fate intervened. 

The 24-year-old from Brisbane in Queensland was all set to take on former IBF cruiserweight title challenger Andrew Tabiti on the Regis Prograis-Danielito Zorrilla undercard at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 17. Their scheduled 10-rounder was to be part of the live international broadcast on DAZN.

However, in one of his final sparring sessions before flying out for the biggest fight of his career to date, Huni (7-0, 4 KOs) rolled his ankle and suffered torn ligaments. Just like that, the fight was off.

The former amateur standout was shattered by the news.

“I’m just devastated that this has happened so close to the fight,” Huni told the Courier Mail. “I was packed and ready to go, I was a day away from flying out and now this has happened.

“I’m absolutely gutted.”

The scale of the opportunity was not lost on Huni, who was set to have his first bout for Matchroom Boxing.

“It’s massive, mate,” Huni told The Ring before the injury. “It will pave the way moving forward. A lot more people will get to acknowledge who I am and get to see that I’m the real deal and that I’m not just another Australian boxer coming over. I’m not here to take part, I’m here to take over.” 

Unfortunately, it was not to be.