A bare-fisted Jeff Horn punched concrete floors to condition his hands on the way to boxing's peak.
He isn't suggesting Justis Huni do the same, but admits his fears as the heavyweight manages the same issue that constantly plagued Horn's career.
Huni has risen to No.15 in the WBO's world rankings after just seven professional fights, his latest a points victory over Kikie Leutele last Friday.
But again the 23-year-old left Nissan Arena with throbbing fists, his hands still too bruised a week later for scans to uncover the extent of the injuries.
He'll check again in three weeks but the Brisbane talent fears he could require surgery for the second time on ligament damage in his right hand that will keep him out for up to nine months.
"He's got to try to somehow strengthen those hands so it doesn't happen again, because it's hard to win fights with only half his weaponry," Horn told AAP.
Horn tried wearing gel pads and extra padding in training, but found it only hurt more when he fought with less protection so decided to go the other way.
"I was punching the concrete ground ... I did all types of things to strengthen the hands up," the former welterweight world champion said.
Huni's inability to end fights early means he's slugged out 52 rounds in seven fights so far.
It's an incredible workload compared to the beginning of former unified champion Anthony Joshua's rise - 24 rounds in first 14 bouts.
But Horn said Huni, who won the Australian title in his professional debut, should not be compared to the 2012 Olympic champion.
"I can tell you now Justis won't have a 30-40 fight career because he started so high, higher than anyone, getting the Australian title in his first fight," Horn said.
Huni seemed keen to quieten critics of his power against Luetele.
He chose to wear gloves with horse hair that hit harder but offered less protection and spent the first four rounds in close traded punches, rather than controlling the distance with his speed and skill.
"The heavyweight division is exciting because there are so many knockouts; that's why people like watching," Horn said of the naysayers' logic.
"They're frustrated because they're not seeing that but anyone with anything to do with boxing sees how good he is and what he can become."
Huni's camp has already acknowledged the lessons learnt in a strategic shift that pleased Horn.
"It doesn't matter how you win a fight, as long as you win a fight," Horn said.
"People will pay attention sooner or later if you keep winning.
"Even against the biggest puncher in the world, if he can't hit you - which is what the sport is - you're going to get paid the big bucks and be drawing crowds.
"If he keeps outboxing guys I'll keep watching."
