The referee stopped the fight early, and Fenech won by technical decision in Australia. Jeff's ferocious pace led to an early knockdown. Zarate was robbed of a knockdown in round 1. The tide started to turn once Zarate was landing bombs to the body before the stoppage. Was this bout very controversial in 1987? Who do you think would've won this fight if the fight went on? The smell of Australia's homecooking is strong
Zarate had no business getting title shots in his comeback. He got two. WBC favoritism of iconic Mexican. He was a shell of what he has been after a seven year retirement. If the fight went it's course Fenech would have ground down the faded Zarate. No it as was not controversial but gave the WBC an excuse to hand Zarate another title shot which was against Zaragoza. He was punished and stopped. That said he would have easily beaten Zaragoza in his prime and would have beaten a 118 lb Fenech but probably not at 122 lbs
I asked Zarate about this fight. He said he felt Fenech’s punches more than any opponent and felt he was very strong. He knows he was losing but felt he was coming in and caused the cut with a punch. He doesn’t believe the fight should have been stopped and wasn’t happy to lose like that. Zarate was a little unlucky but I think Fenech being much younger, and at that stage stronger, would have gotten a second wind. Maybe Zarate can hang on to go the distance? I think in their primes Zarate would win. You got a glimpse of an almost shot (though on a winning streak) doing well with a young Fenech.
