Jeff Fenech describes heart surgery as ‘toughest fight of my life’

Jeff Fenech has admitted that the heart surgery he underwent earlier this month has been the “toughest fight of his life”.

It is the third time Fenech, trainer of Tim Tszyu, has undergone heart surgery. He still hopes to be in Tszyu’s corner when he faces middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara.

A three-division champion, Fenech is one of Australia’s greatest-ever fighters and a Hall of Famer who was ferocious at his peak. He trained Mike Tyson ahead of his loss to Kevin McBride in 2005 and again for the former heavyweight champion’s exhibition with Roy Jones Jr. 15 years later.

Fenech, 62, posted on Friday: “Hi everyone , I would just like to say a special thank you to all you beautiful people who continue to support me.

“Although it’s not over yet, I think I want to say I just went through the toughest fight of my life. I am not going to be on social media for a while.. maybe the day I get home.. I’d like to say what I said after every fight.. I love youse all.”

Australian boxing journalist and manager Ben Damon told Fox Sports that the surgery had been a success.

“The great news is that Jeff has come through a very long and significant surgery successfully,” Damon said.

“And doctors are very happy with how everything has gone.

“It’s a tremendous relief for his family and friends, and for everyone who cares about him across the boxing world. But it’s absolutely no surprise given what a warrior Jeff has always been.

“He’s had major surgery and it will be a lengthy recovery – or at least it would be for a normal person – but I’d expect Jeff will show his usual impatience and will approach it with trademark enthusiasm.

“In a boxing sense, Jeff has already put plans in place for Tim Tszyu’s world title preparation but it would be impossible to keep him away from that mission and you can bet he will be doing everything humanly possible to be in the corner on fight day.”