Not often I pick against Chandler and it does not sit well with me that I am. He is going to struggle with the pressure that Jeff is going to bring. Chandler might find some success early but he is going to have difficulty creating the space he needs for his jab and midrange game to excel. He has decent power but it won’t be enough to deter Fenech. Chandler takes the first 2 rounds, but struggles to win anymore as the fight progresses. Fenech Likely 8-4 type decision, that is never really in doubt.
When you insert insults and made up derogatory nicknames it makes me wonder if you are biased against Joltin Jeff? Either way your pick is fair enough lol
After Fenech won the title (probably his title winning effort too) his bouts were notable events and usually on live Aussie television from memory, at least for some time. The mate and i used to tune in religiously when they were on. One night we even left the pub with beers to catch the bout in peace. What we have to remember here is that my man Fenech only had about 10 fights at Bantam or under in his professional life. He had 14 fights total when he never fought at Bantam again. His only two even semi notable bouts at the weight were against Coffee and McCrory. Coffee was one of the Tomorrow's champions brigade. He was 26-0 at the time he fought Fenech but had fought mostly a bunch of nobodies. Their combined records (*Pendleton was an "opponent" at this stage even with a huge weight advantage) were a disgrace given the career stage he should have been at. He was a good fighter but could have been brought along a lot better. He did little after being beaten by Fenech in a good tough fight. McCrory was a noted amateur but he too had feasted on nobodies and not progressed in the pro ranks like he could have. IMO both camps severely underrated Fenech due to his lack of bouts and acclaim. Even in Australia we did not know how things were going to progress as he started to fight these more highly touted (than Fenech) American opponents. Going into the Coffeee fight Fenech from memory was no-where to be seen in Ring's top 10 where as Coffee had been gifted a spot. By the time Fenech fought McCrory he was in the bottom of the 10 yet lower than Zaragoza who he had beaten not long prior in an over the weight battle. Fenech was usually struggling to make the weight at Bantam and certainly did against McCrory but still put a beating on him in the end. He too did very little post Fenech unlike some other guys such as Zaragoza. So where i am heading is that Fenech wasn't as proven at Bantamweight as other weights. He had numerous battles to make the weight as well. I think he was notably stronger and better above 118. Chandler is quit proven there and was strong and natural at the weight. He would be fighting a guy with 12 or 13 fights under his belt. Chandler had almost that many defenses by the time he hit the wall. He beat a reasonable array of opponents and styles too and is probably on the cusp of the 10. He definitely beat better guys at 118 than the Marrickville Mauler. I actually think this would be a grueling fight and maybe even a war in the later stages. Fenech would be aggressive and Chandler would have to mix it quite often. Chandler was good at all ranges however and could put combinations together well. He was a very well rounded fighter and had excellent versatility. I'd favor Chandler to be honest. He's a huge step up from what Fenech actually faced at 118 and it would be a fascinating matchup. Fenech was already a special fighter as we saw not much later as he hammered upward thru the divisions. I just have a feeling he way have been a smidgen underdone and drained at the weight to be favored over a guy like Chandler. I have a feeling both guys would have to go to the well. Despite his problems Fenech was still very very strong at the weight and had top stamina. Chandler has become quite underrated on here imo and seems to have a bit of a stigma about him. The guy could really fight.
First off, 9 defenses. Second, Feneches style and roughness would have Princess Jeff bitching the entire fight. Even Philly will tell you that. Feenech by KO but Pintor KOs Fenech at bantamweight. Pintor liked it rough and like u said, Fen didnt have the experience.
