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Jeff Fenech

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Jeff Fenech
Born
Jeff Fenech

(1964-05-28) 28 May 1964 (age 60)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Other namesMarrickville Mauler
Brick Top
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)[1]
Reach66+1⁄2 in (169 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights33
Wins28
Wins by KO21
Losses3
Draws1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Australia
World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 1983 Rome Flyweight
Commonwealth Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1983 Belfast Flyweight
Oceanian Championships
Gold medal – first place 1984 Taoyuan Flyweight

Jeff Fenech (born 28 May 1964) is an Australian former professional boxer who competed between 1984 and 2008. He won world titles in three weight divisions, having held the IBF bantamweight title from 1985 to 1987, the WBC super-bantamweight title from 1987 to 1988, the WBC featherweight title from 1988 to 1990. He retroactively won a fourth weight division title, the WBC super-featherweight title in 1991, after the WBC recounted his first bout against Azumah Nelson which had been a controversial decision draw. Fenech was trained by renowned Sydney-based trainer Johnny Lewis.

Jeff Fenech was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame Moderns category in 2003, and became the 4th person to be elevated to Legend status in 2013.

Boxing career

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Fenech was born in St Peters, Sydney and is of Maltese parentage.[2] After playing junior rugby league and getting into trouble with the police as a child, Fenech was turned onto boxing when he attended the Newtown Police Boys Club in Sydney where he met Johnny Lewis. From there Fenech had a stellar amateur career, which led to him representing his country at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles where he was selected as the boxing team captain. At the Olympics, Fenech lost a controversial quarter-final bout to Yugoslavian Redžep Redžepovski. Fenech was initially given the decision, but after intervention by the Olympic Boxing Committee and a total recount, the decision was reversed with Redžepovski being awarded the win. Many of the other boxers and those in the press felt that Fenech had been robbed of a chance to win an Olympic medal and most boxing writers noted how political amateur boxing was, especially at the Olympic Games.

It was that decision that led Fenech to turn professional later in 1984, and in his first professional fight he defeated Bobby Williams by a knockout in round two. Fenech quickly gained a reputation as a fast starter: he won his first eleven bouts by knockout, and held his first fight abroad in only his fourth fight, when he beat Iliesa Manila by a knockout in two rounds in Fiji.[3]

He beat fringe contenders Wayne Mulholland and Rolando Navarro, both by a knockout in the fifth round, to start 1985. After those two wins, he was placed number one among the world's bantamweights by the International Boxing Federation. However, his early wins by KO had some of the press wondering if he could last the full 15 round distance.

Bantamweight champion

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Fenech took only six professional fights to become the number one contender. He became the eighth-fastest boxer to fight for a world title after beginning his career when he challenged Satoshi Shingaki for the IBF Bantamweight title in only his seventh bout, displacing the second Davey Moore, and trailing Shingaki himself, Leon Spinks, Saensak Muangsurin, Pete Rademacher, Joves De La Puz, Joko Arter and Rafael Lovera. Fenech was the third fastest boxer to become a world champion, behind Muangsuring and Spinks, when he knocked out Shingaki in nine rounds in front of a packed house at the Horden Pavilion in Sydney. After two non-title knockout wins, he gave Shingaki a rematch at the State Sports Centre in Sydney and retained the crown with a knockout in three rounds. After one more non-title knockout win, Fenech had to go the distance for the first time, when he faced American Jerome Coffee at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, retaining the title by a 15-round unanimous decision.[3]

In 1986, Fenech had only two bouts, but they were both major fights: He won a 10-round, non-title fight decision over former WBC bantamweight and future super bantamweight world champion Daniel Zaragoza, and he retained his IBF world championship with a TKO in round 14 over American Steve McCrory[3] in a bout dubbed "Olympic Revenge" by Fenech's then promoter Bill Mordy. McCrory, like Fenech, had competed in the flyweight division at the Los Angeles Olympics, winning the Gold Medal by defeating Redžep Redžepovski in the final. After the bout at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, McCrory graciously allowed the Australian to wear his Olympic Gold Medal to show off to the crowd. During the fight with McCrory, Fenech wore green and red trunks, the colours of the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team with their tough forward Mario Fenech (no relation) in his corner. McCrory was trained out of the Kronk Gym in Detroit.

Super bantamweight champion

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1987 was a big year for Fenech. He went up in weight, and in his first fight as a super bantamweight, he defeated Tony Miller by a decision. Then the WBC super bantamweight champion, Samart Payakaroon, travelled to Australia to defend his belt against Fenech. Fenech became a two-weight world champion by knocking Payakaroon out in four rounds. For his next defense, he met future world bantamweight champion Greg Richardson and knocked him out in five. Next it was former WBC bantamweight champion Carlos Zarate's turn to challenge Fenech. Fenech retained his crown by a technical decision win in four rounds at the Perth Entertainment Centre, and then finished his year by knocking out Osmar Avila in one round in a non-title affair.

Featherweight champion

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By 1988, Fenech had grown into a featherweight, and the WBC matched him with Puerto Rico's former world super bantamweight champion Victor Luvi Callejas for their vacant featherweight title, once again, in Sydney. Fenech joined boxing's exclusive group of fighters who have been world champs in three or more divisions, by knocking Callejas out in the 11th round.[4] He retained that title twice before the year was over, knocking out Tyrone Downes and Georgie "Go Go" Navarro, both in the fifth round.[3]

In 1989, he beat Marcos Villasana and former Julio César Chávez challenger Mario Martinez, both by decision.[3]

Super featherweight title challenges

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After that, Fenech took one year off and came back in 1991 as a super featherweight. After beating Johnny Calhoun by a knockout in four, he tried to become a four division world champion when he met Azumah Nelson. The fight was fought on the undercard to the Mike Tyson vs Razor Ruddock rematch at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. After 12 ferocious rounds the bout was controversially declared a draw with many of the boxing press who were present (as well as Tyson) claiming that Fenech had been robbed of a clear win.[5][6] Fenech has accused Nelson's promoter Don King of fixing the fight: "Him being Azumah Nelson and being under the Don King banner helped him because I believe the referee (Joe Cortez) didn’t let me do what I wanted to do, breaking up the fight, let Azumah hit me after the bell. People want to say I’m a dirty fighter but I only retaliate when someone does something to me. I’ve got no need to do something dirty at the start because I’m busy trying to cut the ring off and put pressure on. Like I said, although I won the fight, nobody tried to help me like that. The judging, the referring, everything was against me."[7] On Monday 7 November 2022, a review of the fight by WBC Boxing retrospectively declared Fenech the winner, thus giving him a fourth world title.[8][9][10]

Fenech returned to Australia and after beating Miguel Francia, Nelson travelled to Melbourne to offer Fenech a second title try. This time in front of over 30,000 fans at the Princes Park football stadium, Fenech suffered his first loss, when he was knocked out in the eighth round for Nelson to retain the world title. Fenech's TKO loss was recognized as the Ring Magazine Upset of the Year.[7]

After that fight, he fought sporadically. In 1993, he was beaten in seven rounds by knockout by American former IBF featherweight champion Calvin Grove at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, and in 1995, he beat Tialano Tovar, by a knockout in eight in New Jersey.

Lightweight title challenge

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In 1996, in what was thought to have been his last fight (he fought Nelson a third time 12 years later), he lost to IBF lightweight champion Phillip Holiday of South Africa by a knockout in the second round. He retired after the bout.

Fenech retired with a record of 28 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw, with 21 wins by knockout.

Post-retirement career

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Fenech was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1986.[11]

In retirement, Fenech has kept busy, and now he is the owner of a sports clothing brand that carries his name in Australia. In addition, he was inducted in 2002 into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. Fenech has become a trainer training fighters such as Danny Green, Nedal Hussein, Hussein Hussein, Sakio Bika, and former IBF flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan.[12]

On 5 January 2004, Fenech was attacked and stabbed by four men in Sydney, receiving facial cuts that required plastic surgery.

In June of the same year, the Fenech family home was attacked by shooters; seven bullets were recovered but no one was injured. Australian police believed the two attacks against Fenech are connected, ranging from a bar fight that Fenech had with a gang-member in 2003. The Australian newspaper quoted someone related to a Lebanese gang stating that "they will get him", but Fenech does not believe that the violent events are related.

In March 2005, Fenech became the trainer for former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, in an effort to relaunch Tyson's career.[13]

During the year 2020, Fenech trained Mike Tyson once again in preparation for Tyson's exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr.

Despite repeated denials made in the popular press and on his website, Fenech pleaded guilty to his role in the 2005 theft of 3 gold watches worth a total of $327 from a Gold Coast, Queensland boutique store. There was clear evidence of his involvement from in-store security cameras, revealing that Fenech actively participated in the incident.[14]

Boxing comeback against Nelson

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In March 2008, Fenech – at age 43 – announced a comeback to professional boxing and lost 22 kilos in preparation for the fight. He was to fight Azumah Nelson (who was 49 years old by this time) in what was later built up as the grudge match of the century. The two were to do battle on 24 June 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. A reality series/documentary on Fenech's life aired on Channel 9 and Fox Sports in the weeks leading up to the fight. On 24 June 2008, Fenech won the grudge match against Azumah Nelson by a majority decision, one judge scoring the fight a draw and the last two judges scoring it in favour of Fenech.[15]

In June 2008, Fenech won the Shane Warne 888 Poker World Series of Poker Celebrity Bounty Event at Crown Casino. Fenech now appears at poker events around the world including the Aussie Millions and the World Series of Poker.

Amateur career

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  • 1983 Oceanic Flyweight champion
  • 1983 3rd place at Flyweight in World Championships in Rome, Italy. Results were:
    • Defeated Marcelino Diaz (Colombia) points
    • Lost to Huh Yong-Mo (South Korea) points
  • 1983 3rd place as a Flyweight at Commonwealth Titles in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
  • 1984 Oceanic Flyweight champion
  • 1984 represented Australia as a Flyweight at Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Results were

Professional boxing record

[edit]
33 fights 29 wins 3 losses
By knockout 21 3
By decision 8 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
33 Win 29–3–1 Azumah Nelson MD 10 24 Jun 2008 Hisense Arena, Melbourne, Australia
32 Loss 28–3–1 Phillip Holiday TKO 2 (12), 2:18 18 May 1996 The Glass House, Melbourne, Australia For IBF lightweight title
31 Win 28–2–1 Mike Juarez TKO 2 (10), 2:06 9 Mar 1996 Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
30 Win 27–2–1 Tialano Tovar TKO 8 (10), 2:31 18 Nov 1995 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
29 Loss 26–2–1 Calvin Grove TKO 7 (10), 0:59 7 Jun 1993 International Tennis Centre, Melbourne, Australia
28 Loss 26–1–1 Azumah Nelson TKO 8 (12), 2:20 11 Mar 1992 Princes Park Football Ground, Melbourne, Australia For WBC super-featherweight title
27 Win 26–0–1 Miguel Angel Francia UD 10 13 Sep 1991 International Tennis Centre, Melbourne, Australia
26 Draw 25–0–1 Azumah Nelson SD 12 28 Jun 1991 Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. For WBC super-featherweight title;
WBC Retrospectively awarded title to Fenech 7 Nov 2022, after a recount
25 Win 25–0 John Kalbhenn TKO 4 (10), 1:20 19 Jan 1991 Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, Adelaide, Australia
24 Win 24–0 Mario Martinez UD 12 24 Nov 1989 International Tennis Centre, Melbourne, Australia
23 Win 23–0 Marcos Villasana UD 12 8 Apr 1989 National Tennis Centre, Melbourne, Australia Retained WBC featherweight title
22 Win 22–0 Georgie Navarro TKO 5 (12), 1:41 11 Nov 1988 National Tennis Centre, Melbourne, Australia Retained WBC featherweight title
21 Win 21–0 Tyrone Downes TKO 5 (12), 1:07 12 Aug 1988 National Tennis Centre, Melbourne, Australia Retained WBC featherweight title
20 Win 20–0 Victor Callejas TKO 10 (12), 1:21 7 Mar 1988 Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia Won vacant WBC featherweight title
19 Win 19–0 Osmar Alfredo Avila KO 1 (10), 0:56 11 Dec 1987 Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
18 Win 18–0 Carlos Zarate TD 4 (12), 3:00 16 Oct 1987 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia Retained WBC super-bantamweight title
17 Win 17–0 Greg Richardson KO 5 (12), 1:29 10 Jul 1987 Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia Retained WBC super-bantamweight title
16 Win 16–0 Samart Payakaroon KO 4 (12), 2:42 8 Jun 1987 Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia Won WBC super-bantamweight title
15 Win 15–0 Tony Miller UD 12 3 Apr 1987 Sports & Entertainment Centre, Melbourne, Australia Won Australian featherweight title
14 Win 14–0 Steve McCrory TKO 14 (15), 1:41 18 Jul 1986 Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia Retained IBF bantamweight title
13 Win 13–0 Daniel Zaragoza UD 10 11 Apr 1986 Entertainment Centre, Perth, Australia
12 Win 12–0 Jerome Coffee UD 15 2 Dec 1985 Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia Retained IBF bantamweight title
11 Win 11–0 Kenny Butts KO 2 (10) 4 Nov 1985 Festival Hall, Brisbane, Australia
10 Win 10–0 Satoshi Shingaki TKO 4 (15) 23 Aug 1985 State Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia Retained IBF bantamweight title
9 Win 9–0 John Farrell TKO 9 (10), 0:40 26 Jul 1985 Festival Hall, Brisbane, Australia
8 Win 8–0 John Matienza TKO 6 (10), 2:41 14 Jun 1985 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
7 Win 7–0 Satoshi Shingaki TKO 9 (15), 2:43 26 Apr 1985 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia Won IBF bantamweight title
6 Win 6–0 Rolando Navarro TKO 4 (12) 4 Mar 1985 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
5 Win 5–0 Wayne Mulholland TKO 5 (12) 1 Feb 1985 Dapto Rugby League Club, Dapto, Australia Won vacant South Pacific & South Seas bantamweight title
4 Win 4–0 Iliesa Manila KO 2 (10) 15 Dec 1984 National Indoor Stadium, Suva, Fiji
3 Win 3–0 Junior Thompson TKO 4 (10), 2:15 30 Nov 1984 Marrickville RSL Club, Sydney, Australia Won vacant Australian super-flyweight title
2 Win 2–0 Percy Israel TKO 7 (10), 1:38 26 Oct 1984 Marrickville RSL Club, Sydney, Australia
1 Win 1–0 Bobby Williams TKO 2 (10), 2:06 12 Oct 1984 Marrickville RSL Club, Sydney, Australia

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Showtime Championship Boxing tale of the tape prior to the first Azumah Nelson fight.
  2. ^ Attard, Monica (27 June 2008). "Jeff Fenech". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e "I luv youse all says Jeff". Mildura Weekly. Vol. 4, no. 16. 26 February 2010. p. 21.
  4. ^ "Jeff Fenech of Australia stopped Victor Callejas of Puerto..." United Press International. 7 March 1988. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  5. ^ Goldstein, Alan (28 June 1991). "Nelson fights to draw, retains WBC super-featherweight title". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  6. ^ Hasen, Jeff (28 June 1991). "Nelson, Fenech fight to draw". United Press International. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  7. ^ a b Wainwright, Anson (6 January 2017). "Best I Faced: Jeff Fenech". Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  8. ^ Healy, Jon (8 November 2022). "Jeff Fenech wins super featherweight world title 31 years after controversial draw with Azumah Nelson". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  9. ^ McMurtry, Andrew (9 November 2022). "Boxing fans stunned after controversial 1991 Jeff Fenech fight overturned". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Fenech awarded fourth world title 31 years on". ESPN. 8 November 2022. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Jeff Fenech". Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  12. ^ Warren, Adrian (16 April 2020). "Feisty Jeff Fenech makes a compelling case". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  13. ^ "Tyson Signs with Fenech" - Sydney Morning Herald
  14. ^ "Stealing was stupid: Fenech" - The Australian
  15. ^ Vester, Mark (24 June 2008). "Jeff Fenech Decisions Azumah Nelson in Trilogy Bout". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
[edit]
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by
Satoshi Shingaki
 IBF bantamweight champion
26 April 1985 – 10 February 1987
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Kelvin Seabrooks
Preceded by WBC super-bantamweight champion
8 May 1987 – 27 January 1988
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Daniel Zaragoza
Vacant
Title last held by
Azumah Nelson 		WBC featherweight champion
7 March 1988 – 18 April 1990
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Marcos Villasana
Awards
Preceded by WBC super-featherweight champion
28 June 1991
WBC retroactively awarded title on 7 November 2022 after WBC's recount 		N/A
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