In his new book the retired boxer Danny Green reveals how he fell out with his trainer, Jeff Fenech. WHEN I won the world title from Stipe Drews I thought to thank Jeff Fenech in my speech. Even though Jeff and I had split in a less than amicable way, I wanted to thank him for the role he played as my trainer. Jeff interpreted that acknowledgement as an opening to train me again but that was not my intention. I was ecstatic when Jeff suggested I join his troupe of professional fighters [after the Sydney Olympics]. I couldn't think of anyone better to fight for. When I look back on it now, the style of coaching Jeff employed showed he wanted me to emulate his style. I followed him blindly. I think some things should have been done differently. I think Jeff couldn't believe his good fortune to have found a fighter who had power in both hands, a solid chin and someone who embraced the style of fighting he preached - to go forward, apply pressure and knock the opponent out at all costs. Such an approach almost cost me my life against Sean Sullivan in 2004. Even though I had doubts about the way my trainer handled that fight, I remained loyal and defended Jeff from his critics. The highlight of our association was the night I defeated Eric Lucas for the WBC interim world title in Canada. After Lucas, cracks formed in our relationship. The Sullivan fight took place and I suffered heat stroke and came close to dying. I put in a dog of a performance against Omar Gonzalez. But the most damaging of all was Beyer II - the rematch I'd so desperately craved. I was worried the controversial nature of my loss to Beyer would be fodder for the media and I didn't want my focus on anything but defeating the German. Jeff disagreed. He was adamant we should stay in Australia, but I insisted we were bound for the US. That was the first of many disagreements. Once we landed in America, Jeff hooked up with his friend and former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. The more time he spent with Tyson the more I worried Jeff had other things on his mind. Adding to my stress was the fact I was not performing as well as I'd have liked in the gym and sparring ring. Five weeks before the bout I copped a badly broken nose from Paul Miller. Yet a more serious problem was that I didn't click with Jeff when it mattered most. I'm dumbfounded that Jeff and I only viewed my first fight with Beyer together the week before the rematch. Even after we watched the tape, Jeff didn't have a lot to say. He said something like: 'You've got to smash him. You know what to do.' I was disappointed. We flew to Germany but Jeff and I didn't spend much time together. We didn't go to a boxing gym to train because Jeff didn't think it wise to venture into the cold. Instead we trained in either a hotel room or on slippery tiles in a 3x3 metre change room outside a sauna. At 6pm on the night of the fight I was sitting in the room alone when Jeff dropped in and told me he had to go because he said the nerves were doing his head in. Word reached me that while I was sitting solo Jeff was in the crowd watching Bob Mirovic fight Timo Hoffman . I later heard rumblings that Mirovic was viewed as a possible opponent for Tyson - who was to be trained by Jeff. I remember feeling funny when my dad asked me where Jeff was when they found me sitting alone in my room. I knew my trainer should have been with me. Ten minutes before the fight Jeff hurled obscenities at Angelo Hyder in the dressing room over an issue that should have been sorted out in private. It took away the focus of everyone in that room. I'm certain the strain of our relationship was what tipped him over the edge. I lost the fight. I went back to the dressing room, and it was all very grim. Jeff left for the hotel while I did my drug test. Fenech told me we'd sort things out back in Australia. I went upstairs with my family and friends. I left Germany for Perth the following day and I felt gutted. After eight days of hearing nothing from Jeff while he was with Tyson, I phoned him. We had a short conversation where nothing of any note was said. A week later I heard he was back in Sydney so I booked a flight and caught up with him . We got a few things off our chest. He thought my decision to train in Los Angeles was wrong. He thought I'd made a mistake by allowing too many people in the change room before the fight. He explained he'd given Tyson his word that he'd help him train, but added it was unlikely Iron Mike would fight again and he'd be back in Australia as soon as I was ready to resume training. I returned to training and because I hadn't heard from Jeff I gathered he'd made the decision that he wanted to align himself with Tyson. When I called Jeff two weeks later he was in Los Angeles and admitted he'd been dreading my call. He told me Tyson was training the house down. Jeff explained Tyson had presented him with an opportunity to set his family up financially. I told Jeff that I did not begrudge him that. Since then, Jeff hasn't had too many positive things to say about me. Sometimes I look at photos of us together, and I think of the good times.
this is no surprise to me. another example of how a good sportsman does not always make a good coach or trainer. i honestly struggle to find 1 good boxing trainer in Australia. craig christian is foul mouthed yobo, Murray Thompson's fighters never excel and Angelo Hyder is better at matchmaking, not training. Johnny Lewis is reasonable, but is getting too old now.
Eddie Futch trained world champions in his mid eighties .He also had a mid thirties trophy wife.LOL A blonde Sewdish girl.
"You've got to smash him. You know what to do." Classic cornerman advice by Jeff Fenech. The funny thing is that he actually does say that to his fighters in the corner over and over again. He's certainly no Freddie Roach.
Either that or 'stick with the plan', usually for the fight nights seen on Foxsports where he takes the place of the fighters real trainers.
gee that paints jeff in a bad light... doesnt surprise me at all though. was still good of danny to thank him for his part... class act. i dont think he was trying to stab him here either... just sounds like he's telling the story as is.
Now I think about it isn't this the fight fenech bagged green in the press for not following his instructions?Only jeff could come up with an angle like that.LOL
i cant believe green green the panzey machine! making excuses on todays paper about he how was focusing on other things instead of the fight. saying in his book that mundine couldnt knock him out! what kind of idiot says that when a fighter dominated you the whole fight! excuses excuses excuses useless machine!!!!!!!!!
thanks Newb! gree green the panzy machine? if you want to belong here Newb, you need to start dropping the F bomb.