3 minute read

Former triple world boxing champion Jeff Fenech selects five of the outstanding performances of his illustrious career.

JEFF FENECH SELECTS HIS FIVE BEST BOXING PERFORMANCES (in chronological order)

* December 1985, Sydney - bt Jerome Coffee (USA) UD 15, retains IBF bantamweight title

Coffee came into the fight with a 26-0 record but left with his first loss, though he became the only man to take Fenech a full 15 rounds.

* July 1986, Sydney - bt Steve McCrory (USA) TKO 14, retains IBF bantamweight title

Some Olympic redemption for Fenech as the previously unbeaten McCrory won the 1984 Games gold medal in the division in which the Australian was controversially deprived of a medal after his points win over Yugoslavia's Redzep Redzepovski was overturned.

* May 1987, Sydney - bt Samart Payakaroon (THA) KO 4, wins WBC super bantamweight title

Fenech was floored for the first time in his professional career in the opening three minutes but rebounded to win his second world title belt and hand Payakaroon his first loss in paid ranks.

* March 1988, Sydney - bt Victor Callejas (PUE) TKO 10, wins vacant WBC featherweight title

Former WBA super bantamweight champion Callejas was well behind on all three cards before Fenech inflicted the only stoppage loss of the Puerto Rican's professional career.

* April 1989, Melbourne - bt Marcos Villasana (MEX) UD 12, retains WBC featherweight title

Fenech pounded out a clear points win in his third consecutive successful title defence, his 11th and final world title victory.

JEFF FENECH'S MAJOR BOXING CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

AMATEUR (ALL AT FLYWEIGHT)

* 1983: Oceania champion, World Cup bronze medallist, Commonwealth championships bronze medallist

* 1984, Oceania champion, Olympic Games quarter-finalist.

PROFESSIONAL- STATE AND NATIONAL TITLES

* 1984 - Australian super flyweight champion

* 1985 - NSW and Australian bantamweight titles,

* 1987 Australian featherweight tile

PROFESSIONAL - WORLD TITLES

* 1985 Wins IBF world bantamweight title (makes three successful defences before vacating)

* 1987 Wins WBC Super bantamweight title (makes two successful defences before vacating)

* 1989 - Wins WBC Featherweight world title (makes three successful title defences before vacating)

First professional fight - October 12 1984

Last professional fight - June 24 2008

Overall professional record: 29-3-1, (21 KOs)

Other achievements : Inductee in Sport Australia Hall of Fame, International Boxing Hall of Fame and Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame.