Just reliving my early 20’s (happens more and more the older I get). I remember getting done work at the factory and sharing the cost of the fight with a couple of guys from work. I was looking forward to Tyson vs Ruddock II, and was pumped up. I had lost $50 on the first fight and being upset over that stoppage didn’t bet this go around, but still excited for the fireworks. I was a little bit excited about Bowe vs Marin as well. I was eager to see Bowe again and thought he was the future of the HW division and ready to become Larry Holmes with a bigger punch...he had beaten pinklon Morrison Cooper and looked like a rising star. I remember being disappointed in his previous fight against Tubbs and wanted another look. Oh and I always got excited to watch Azumah Nelson (still my favorite non Philly fighter ever), even if it was just to watch him pummel some unknown (lol to me at the time anyway) from down under. I knew of Fenech, but not much (I have since seen and learned a lot more thankfully) more than surface accomplishments. However it was these 2 guys who stole the show and left my freinds and I as well as the boxing world shook up. I love Nelson but did not (and still don’t) understand how Fenech did not win this (More Don King magic I guess). My buddies and I couldn’t believe it, nor could most of the world...however in spite of the decision this fight remains in my top 10 favorite fights. Don’t let the bad decision rob you of the enjoyment of these two warriors.
Mates and i traveled from our hometown to a bigger city to watch this card unfold. Fenech flogged him in this one and would have stopped him with another 30 or 40 seconds from memory. We were rapt. We also enjoyed Tyson - Ruddock II. Tyson's fights were huge events back then, just electric.
Do you remember your thoughts or expectations on the Fenech Nelson fight going into it? I didn’t know Fenech but by name at that point, I am certain you knew more about him going into this than I did.
The mates and i being from Australia knew Jeff inside out obviously. We thought he had an excellent chance as we knew exactly what he brought to the table.
I agree it is one of my favorites, and what started me down the trail of discovering and appreciating Fenech and his career! Lost in all of this is that Nelson did some of the best fighting off of the ropes I have seen both defensively and offensively
I started following Fenech after reading about him in the boxing magazines I couldn't wait to see him and I sure wasnt disappointed. I believe the first time he was on TV it was just clips then they showed the vilasona fight and I was blown away. He instantly became one of my favorite fighters
Great thread thanks fellas. Fenech fought an incredible fight and gave every ounce of himself and as an Aussie it was pretty disappointing when the decision was announced. There was a bit of Duran vs Leonard 1 about the fight as far as how it was fought. The swarmer managed to impose his will on the boxer-puncher. My old man actually won a fair bit of cash on Nelson in the rematch as he thought that Fenech would struggle to repeat the same effort against a Nelson who now knew what to expect. Dad reckoned Jeff’s susceptibility to the overhand right would be the key and so it proved. I would also recommend Fenech’s fight against Victor Callejas as it was also a good un. Cheers.
