Rose was a machine at Bantamweight but Fenech would be way too big for Lionel to handle. He couldn't beat Jeff at range and he couldn't man handle him in the clinches. I don't think that Fenech could stop Rose but I think he beats him quite comfortably.
Fenech was very green at 118. He improved dramatically at 122 and peaked IMO at 126. Rose was at his peak at 118. I just think he handles the green, but tough kid at bantamweight. At 126 I would go with Fenech.
Fenech has the stylistic edge, for sure. If Rose had any real pop in his punches I’d still probably go with him. He didn’t, though. So it all comes down to who was more weight drained.
I think the Rose that handled Fighting Harada would have been able to edge Fenech @ BW as well. Like others have said Fenech was green and still improving his game. Rose’s performance against Harada was a brilliant display of the matador against the bull and I can see him doing a similar job on Fenech. I do think the Fenech that fought at SBW would have been different and that’s where Fenech was at his best. 126lb Fenech outmuscles and out works Rose.
Fenech's last fight at 118 came at the 14 fight mark. He was already struggling badly to make the weight. I'd have to favor Rose, a talented ATG to have too much experience and poise at bantamweight. Three or four fights later at 122 Fenech was fighting at a really really high level and his improvement and general ability from debut to this mark was quite incredible. I'd back him to beat Rose at 122 around the 16-18 fight mark but it certainly wouldn't be easy and perhaps not carved in stone.
