Philippines, 21 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Jeff Fenech: The Mauler from Down Under


PhilBoxing.com




“Jeff Fenech is the mauler from down under. From what I’ve seen and heard, he is one of the stags in this George Bellows painting,” the late Filipino matchmaker Pol Tiglao said to the equally late boxing manager Hermie Rivera. At the time, both men were plotting their next moves for then-newly minted WBA bantamweight champ Luisito Espinosa. Mr. Pol Tiglao knew his boxing and its machinations---craftily guiding, albeit behind the scenes, Filipino and world champions like Rolando Pascua, Luisito Espinosa and Morris East.

Jeff Fenech was (and still) the first Australian to win boxing titles in three weight divisions---bantamweight (118 lb.), featherweight (126 lb.) and super-featherweight (130 lb.).
As a professional, he was a prolific puncher who overwhelmed his opponents with sheer intensity. His final stats in 33 total fights: 29 wins (21 KO), 3 losses, 1 draw. He was a throwback in the mold of Jack Dempsey, Harry Greb and Terry McGovern. Fenech’s trilogy with the great Ghanian Azuma Nelson will be remembered as classics.

Jeff Fenech is one of only seven fighters in the history of boxing since 1892 who have won the bantamweight and featherweight crowns. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2002 (Syracuse, New York) and to the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013.



“I would like to think that I was what boxing was all about, giving 100 percent at all times and all respecting the man in the other corner,” the great Jeff Fenech recently expressed to his friends and fans at PhilBoxing.com and PinoyGreats.com. In this photo, he is with his better half Suzee Fenech.


George Wesley Bellows was a novice when it comes to analyzing the fight game.

“I don't know anything about boxing. I'm just painting two men trying to kill each other," the renowned American painter was once quoted about his masterpiece Stag at Sharkey’s (1909, Cleveland Museum, Public domain)


Connoisseurs of the fight game once considered Jeff Fenech as the second coming of Roberto Duran. Serious fight fans dubbed him the Australian Mike Tyson. For me, Iron Mike was the American Jeff Fenech, Manos de Piedra the Panamanian Brick Top.



Jeff Fenech was born on May 28, 1964, Saint Peters, a suburb of Sydney in the state of New South Wales. His parents were originally from Malta before they settled in Australia.
He grew up in the confines of Marrickville, often getting into trouble with the law. In his autobiography, I Love Youse All (with Terry Smith, 1993), he credits the very people who arrested him for turning his life around as a street punk, thief, and petty criminal.

In a documentary called Street Fighter, aired in the United States in the early nineteen-nineties, Fenech admitted, “People say I might have been on the wrong side of the tracks, the wrong side of the law. I was never proud of what I’ve done, grabbing money here, there and everywhere.”

Fenech played rugby before he was introduced to boxing. Johnny Lewis, a boxing coach, and trainer for the Newtown Police Boys Club, instilled in him the discipline he needed to get into the straight and narrow path. Johnny Lewis would become his coach and mentor throughout most of his boxing career.

Amateur Career

In the unpaid ranks, Fenech made his mark as the leading amateur boxer in Australia capturing the 1983 and 1984 Oceanic flyweight titles. He placed third in the 1984 World Championships in Rome, Italy. As a flyweight, Fenech was named captain for the National Boxing Team representing Australia as 1984 Olympic Summer Games held in Los Angeles, California.
He reached the quarterfinals by defeating Rene Centellas of Bolivia (KO 3, Round of 32), beat David Mwaba of Tanzania (Points, Round of 16). In the quarterfinals, he lost to Redžep Redžepovski of Yugoslavia on points. Fenech was robbed of a decision after the referee raised his hand. After a furious intervention and recalculation by the International Olympic Committee, the Yugoslavian was given the victory.
The consensus among the ringside observers, press and fellow boxers was that Fenech (for a lack of a better word) ‘wuz robbed.

Bantamweight Championship

After the Olympics debacle, Fenech rapidly climbed the ranks in the bantamweight division. In his seventh fight, he challenged and beat defending champion Satoshi Shingaki (TKO 9) for the IBF 118-pound crown. He would defend the title successfully against Shingaki TKO4 in their rematch, beat Jerome Coffee (UD 15), and later Steve McCrory (TKO 24).

Super-bantamweight Championship

Fenech climbed to the featherweight ranks and won the Australian featherweight title by beating Tony Miller by unanimous decision in 12 rounds. Fenech quickly came back down in weight to oblige visiting and reigning WBC 122-pound champion Samart Payakaroon of Thailand.

On June 8, 1987, in Sydney, in a bull-matador classic, Jeff Fenech bludgeoned the classy and elusive Thai champion with relentless combinations, knocking him out in 4 rounds.
Defenses against worthy opponents like Greg Richardson (KO5), former bantamweight champion Carlos Zarate (TD 4) fast tracked his march to greatness.

Featherweight Championship

On March 7, 1988, Jeff Fenech won his third world title in as many weight divisions beating Victor Callejas for the vacant WBC featherweight title. He retained his crown after three defenses against Tyrone Downes (TKO 5), Georgie Navarro (TKO 5) and Marcos Villasana (UD 12). Two non-title fights preceded his climb to the super-featherweight ranks ---wins over Mario Martinez (UD 12) and John Kalbhenn (TKO 4).

Super-Featherweight Climb



At the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28, 1991, Jeff Fenech (25-0-1) met his match in Ghanian great Azuma Nelson (33-2-0). Eager to grab the WBC super-featherweight crown, Fenech pressed the action with his swarming style and had Nelson backing up for most of the fight. Fenech stunned Nelson in the 12th round, but the intelligent Nelson survived. The bout was declared a split draw much to the disappointment of Fenech, ringside observers along with his friend Mike Tyson who was to fight Razor Ruddock on the main event.

Fenech and Nelson would meet two more times, with the Ghanian Professor travelling to Sydney twice. Their rematch happened on March 11, 1992, with Nelson scoring a TKO 8 over Fenech. In his finale, sixteen years later, Jeff Fenech finally got his revenge in The Grudge Match on June 24, 2008.

Legacy



While training his fighters in Bangkok, Thailand, Jeff Fenech was rushed to the hospital by his team. He was found to be suffering from a lung infection which affected his heart. From reports, he underwent open-heart surgery to repair and replace an infected cardiac valve. He also underwent thoracentesis, a procedure to drain fluid between the lungs and the chest wall. The three-time world champion showed his mettle recovering well enough to see his daughter Jess’ wedding back home in Australia (based on the report by Kylie Stevens, The Daily Mail, Australia, October 9, 2019).



Jeff Fenech and Mike Tyson have remained friends since 2005. Fenech trained Mike Tyson when he came out of retirement. Iron Mike and his wife Lakiha checked on Fenech as he recovered from heart surgery. (Mark Bouris related to The Daily Telegraph, October2019)

More recently, Fenech trained Tyson again for his exhibition fight against Roy Jones, Jr.

Jeff Fenech launched a clothing apparel that bears his last name.

At age 57, he remains one of the most respected trainers in the fight game.


***************************************************************

Notes: It is with gratitude and honor to hear from Mr. Jeff Fenech. Congratulations on your recovery from heart surgery. Thank you for the kind quotes and your approval for the photos in this article. As we Filipinos say, Mabuhay (Long Live) to you and your family!



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Kell Brook to return in February
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 20 Oct 2025
  • EFREN REYES AND FRANCISCO BUSTAMANTE HEADLINE HISTORIC FIELD AS PHILIPPINES OPEN DRAW REVEALED
    , Mon, 20 Oct 2025
  • North Cotabato karatekas ready in BP 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 20 Oct 2025
  • Fundora vs. Thurman Expected to Land on Manny Pacquiao's January Undercard
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 20 Oct 2025
  • Hong Kong’s “Tyson” Ng and Harpreet Singh of India Ready to Rock for WBC Asia Strap
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 20 Oct 2025
  • TEAM ASIA CONQUER THE WORLD TO COMPLETE HISTORIC REYES CUP TITLE DEFENCE
    , Mon, 20 Oct 2025
  • Jodiel Chloe Banawa: A 5-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Making Her Mark at the Provincial Meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 20 Oct 2025
  • GM Joey is aiming for a world title shot
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Oct 2025
  • Patrick Bonifacio rules Directors Chess Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Oct 2025
  • World Boxing Announces Elite Division World Rankings
    , Sun, 19 Oct 2025
  • BEN WHITTAKER PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS NEW MATCHROOM SIGNING MEETS GAVAZI – PLUS: VUONG vs GWYNNE II
    , Sun, 19 Oct 2025
  • BIADO, YAPP, AND DUONG POWER TEAM ASIA TO THE BRINK OF GLORY
    , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • Prado, Catubig dominate DTI Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • YORK HALL FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: GEORGE LIDDARD MAKES HISTORY TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST EVER BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
    , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • Usyk in Bare Knuckle event?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • IIEE Singapore tops National Chess Olympiad, Quezon City Simba's Tribe wins 2 matches in PCAP
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • Liddard Destroys Conway to Claim British Middleweight Title, Becomes Youngest-Ever Champion
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • Keiron Conway vs George Liddard: Unbeaten Prospect Faces Stiff Challenge
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • Alicaba to fight for WBC Asian Continental super fly
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • DAY TWO: STARBOY MANAS STEALS THE SHOW AS TEAM ASIA EXTENDS PERFECT RUN
    , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS INTRODUCES CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND VICE PRESIDENT TONY COHEN
    , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • Joseph Subia Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
    , Sat, 18 Oct 2025
  • Sirimongkhol, Midgley Make Weight for WBF World Title in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • ICTSI South Pacific on Oct. 28-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART II)
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.