Jeff Fenech Needs To Move On

[caption id="attachment_2971" align="aligncenter" width="347" caption="Danny Green & Jeff Fenech"][/caption]

As a boxing fan, Australians used to love watching Jeff Fenech in the ring.

So why does Fenech keep losing fans outside the ring?

Maybe because the Triple World Champion and International Boxing Hall of Famer continues to infuriate fans by making foolish comments and is constantly contradicting himself to the point where talkback radio callers ask radio stations why they keep putting him on air.

It all seems to stem back from his split from former charge and Three Time World Champion Danny Green.

While Green has always refused to get drawn into any of Fenech’s bitter comments, Fenech has always seemed to find his way on to the airwaves to only say negative and unwarranted statements about Green.

The most recent outburst came after Green’s gallant performance last month against WBC World Cruiserweight Champion Krzysztof "Diablo" Wlodarczyk.

While rival Anthony Mundine praised Green after the great fight, Fenech said that he expects “Green not to retire, but do what Anthony Mundine does and take on lesser opponents he knows he can beat in future for Chicken Feed and just be happy to make more money”

Fenech said he was sure Green would not retire, because he was too money hungry to retire.

“He won’t retire until he has milked more money out of his fans”

“To be honest I don’t really care what Danny Green does” Fenech said.

So why does the "Marrickville Mauler" keep making negative comments about Green then??

Fenech defended his actions as retribution for all the times Green spoke about him behind his back.

When has Green ever spoke about Fenech behind his back? “The story about me and Danny Green will one day come out," Fenech said.

“I can’t wait til the truth comes out about why Danny Green and I split and it was nothing to do about money it was just about being loyal and loyalty and that is the main thing I have tried to put in my life.”

But the story is already out is it not?? Green Machine Boxing has stated in the past, “Jeff left Danny to pursue Mike Tyson’s last tilt at Heavyweight Glory”, something Green never begrudged him for. Green even said to Fenech that he has to do what he believes is best for his family and “We all know Mike Tyson made more money than anyone as a professional boxer”.

In June 2008, Fenech at age 43 and after a 12 year layoff fought a 50 year old Azumah Nelson for a third time in what was built up as the “Grudge match of the Century”.

Fenech has contradicted himself many times on Talkback Radio as listeners are continuing to point out.

In the lead up to the Danny Green vs BJ Flores fight in November 2010, Fenech went on Talkback Radio and criticised Green for choosing an undefeated BJ Flores as an easy opponent and said Green would stop him in about 3 rounds. Fenech also questioned why Flores would wear Green Machine Boxing Gloves for the fight. Many of Green’s opponents wore Green Machine Boxing gloves when Fenech was Greens trainer so why was this a problem when he is not his trainer?

Furthermore on Jeff Fenech fight nights, boxers wear Fenech gloves and Fenech does not promote all of those fighters, so what’s the difference?

The then undefeated 30 year old Flores turned out to be a very good opponent and a tough fight for Green. Green won the Cruiserweight Title fight via 12 round unanimous decision. Green is still the only loss on the record of Flores.

In May 2011, Fenech also took the opportunity to be critical of the promotion of Green and Five Time World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver. Fenech stated that during his career he never wanted to see the man he would be fighting before any of his fights and that Green and Tarver were acting like best friends on the Australian Promotional Tour.

Green and Tarver were nothing but professional in the lead up to their fight in July and the tour was a fantastic way to promote their fight which attracted plenty of interest. Fenech’s comments also sounded very silly as fighters have been going on promotional trails to promote fights for many years, for example Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier back in the 70’s.

Fenech had stated that Green should face a real challenge in his fighter Adam Forsyth. Forsyth later struggled in defeating journeyman Oscar Siale via point’s decision in June 2011 over 8 rounds.

Fenech in the past was a staunch opponent of Women's Boxing, however in early 2011 Fenech sought out and became the trainer for former WBO Female Lightweight Champion Erin McGowan.

"Early on I was dead against women boxing. I didn't want to be a part of it," Fenech said,

"I heard a lot about Erin and I did something I don't usually do and I got my children to put me on YouTube and I watched her in a couple of her bouts".

Fenech was in the corner for McGowan's six round exhibition bout in June and stated that he wanted to take McGowan to the US, talk to the big promoters and get her the big fights as he believes she is the best female fighter in the world. Fenech is no longer McGowan’s trainer.

Three Division World Champion Vic Darchinyan, former Contender winner Sakio Bika, current IBF World Middleweight Champion Daniel Geale, Former Contender Australia cast member Victor Oganov along with Danny Green are among many fighters that Fenech no longer trains or manages.

But in the biggest turnaround yet, Fenech will now try to assist arch enemy Anthony “The Man” Mundine

Fenech and Mundine have traded insults and verbal abuse from opposite corners for years.

Tony Mundine, father of Anthony had also previously said in the past "If Jeff Fenech attempts to come to my boy's fight, I will ensure that some of my henchmen march him straight out the door”

"Jeff, you are not welcome, nor is anyone associated with you, and if my heavies don't take care of you, I certainly will." Tony Mundine said.

Fenech has also said of Anthony Mundine in the past: "His idol is Muhammad Ali but all they have in common is the big mouth."

The career of Danny Green has gone from strength to strength since the split from Fenech in 2005, with the “Green Machine” winning the WBA World Light Heavyweight title in 2007 and the IBO World Cruiserweight title in 2009.

Perhaps it is more than about time Fenech moved on and stopped being bitter about the success he left behind when he left Danny Green.

Posted in: Anthony Mundine,Articles,Danny Green,featured,Green Machine Promotions,Jeff Fenech