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.