By Mark Vester
The Daily Telegraph reported a shocker, Jeff Fenech, at age 44, is preparing to make a return to the ring after retiring in 1996. Fenech has received an offer for a fight with Thai fight Samart Payakarun, with an estimated $1 million dollar payday attached.
Fenech has spent the last few years as a well-respected trainer. He's worked with numerous current and former champions, including Mike Tyson and Danny Green. As a pro, he won the IBF bantamweight title, WBC super bantamweight title and the WBC featherweight title. He was unsuccessful in his two bouts with Azumah Nelson to capture the WBC super featherweight crown, which would have been his fourth divisional title.
Barry Michael, another Australian boxing great, says that he will come out of retirement at age 53 to fight Fenech.
"I've waited 20 years for you to come out of retirement," Michael said. "Mate, as soon as I heard Jeff was back I hit the streets for my first training run. My mobile phone hasn't stopped ringing, either. Friends asking 'Can you fight him too? Can you fight him too? Because, mate, I've been waiting 20 years for this. Lester challenged him. I've challenged him. Maybe now Jeff can give me that crack."
Michael was a holder of the IBF super featherweight title. He retired in 1987.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com
