Mick Francis appeals Justis Huni's knockout defeat to the WBA

Mick Francis has appealed Justis Huni's KO loss to the WBA

Justis Huni and his team are set to officially appeal the knockout loss to Fabio Wardley, saying that he got up before the 10-count, but wasn't allowed to continue.

Despite dominating the entire 12-round WBA Interim heavyweight championship contest, Wardley stopped Huni in the 10th round with a single shot, landing an overhand right as the Aussie tried to throw a one-two of his own.

Justis Huni’s manager Mick Francis is adamant that his heavyweight charge got up before the referee counted to 10.

“He just waved it off!” He raged. ”I'm lodging a protest with the WBA. I've already spoken to Eddie Hearn and Spencer [Brown] and they agreed.

“It's a f-----g world title, not some fight in the park! And they didn't give Justis Huni the correct opportunity.”

Justis got back to his feet almost precisely on the 10-count, but was looking away from the referee, dazed, mouth open, legs unsteady still.

Referee John Latham stopped the fight at 1:42 in the 10th round. Wardley was trailing on all three scorecards: 83-88, 82-89, 82-89.

Huni didn't protest when he was stopped and clapped Wardley when his name was announced as the winner.

Post-fight, the Brisbane boxer praised Wardley, ”He showed he's a true warrior. It was a good heavyweight bout. You know, credit to him, he got the job done tonight.

”I felt like I was boxing nicely, like I said, credit to Fabio, he stuck in the fight all the way to the end and ending up getting the job done. He's tough, he done well to stick it out and stay in there with me. He came out on the other side and was victorious.

”I'll be back, it's only the beginning for me, onto bigger and better things.”

In regards to the view about beating the 10-count, he humbly said, ”It is what it is, like I'm not gonna kick up a fuss about it, it's done. Fabio, he deserves to enjoy his win, it's done now.”