Underappreciated fighter: Jeff Fenech

[Steak]

Won his first title strap in 7 fights(IBF though)
wins over Smart Payakaroon(WBC super bantam champ)
Greg Richardson(future WBC bantam champ)
Carlos Zarate(former WBC bantam champ)
Daniel Zaragoza(former WBC bantam champ and future WBC super bantam champ)
Victor Callegas(former WBA super bantam champ)
Marcos Villasana(future WBC feather champ)
Mario Martinez(never won a title, but he was definitely a VERY quality fighter who was just unlucky with his tough opponents)
should have a win over Azumah Nelson(although admittedly Nelson had only just gotten over Malaria)

3 weight class world champ, should have been 4 although he was dominated in the rematch.

not mentioned a lot, but thats quite a record. guy was a buzzsaw.

[Silencers]

One of the best fighters at cutting off the ring and staying inside when he got there, once he got inside he clung onto his opponents like a cheap suit and wouldn't let them go unless his opponents managed to tie him up, he was like a bulldog, even looked like one.

Shame he had bad hands, he might have been able to get more knockouts and have a longer career with better hands, his style not only wore his opponents down but wore him down as well, with power he might have been able to get some of the guys out of there earlier and preserve his body more.

[IMDAZED]

Even with his brittle hands, Fenech hit pretty hard. Not concussive but he wasn't Malignaggi either - or even a welter Floyd. Extremely underrated and I'd wager he would've beaten every single top feather of the past ten years. Maybe not but I'd put money on him. So would the guy in my avi.

[Steak]

honestly, what featherweight could beat him in the last 10 years? maybe Morales or Pacquiao, but thats it.

I think he would have beaten Barrera, Hamed and Marquez for sure.

[IMDAZED]

honestly, what featherweight could beat him in the last 10 years? maybe Morales or Pacquiao, but thats it.

I think he would have beaten Barrera, Hamed and Marquez for sure.

I can't think of one feather that could beat him although I'd give Morales a decent shot. Fenech was a beast, man. Sort of a mix between Calzaghe and Hatton if both were roided up and on uppers as well. His resume is quite underrated (Mario Martinez!!) but ehh...he's rightly in the HOF and true fans remember.

[infamous larryx]

most people on here never heard of him or any other fighter you just listed.....he also trained tyson for the mcbride fight..

[TheGreatA]

He was a terrific pressure fighter. Somehow he became completely shot after the Nelson loss. Against Holiday and Grove, neither of who could punch, his punch resistance was terrible when in his prime he was known for his toughness. One must wonder what kind of training he was doing at that point in his career, if any at all. At bantamweight he was huge compared to his opponents, and won a title just 6 months after starting his pro career, but he couldn't stay at the weight for long.

He missed out on some good opponents, and retired after seemingly every other fight, but he had an impressive run for 8 years.

[Steak]

Ive always respected Fenech, but honestly mostly only remember him for his 2nd fight against Azumah Nelson. Ive been watching more of his fights though recently, and the guy was just really quality. not a huge puncher, but could still definitely rock you or knock you out if you got hit, because he placed his shots really well.

I really love his subtle skill, being able to barely deflect or dodge blows and then jamming in a combination of his own...not big punches, but well placed and aiming for vital spots.

Although he wasnt flawless defesively, mostly because of his crowding style, when he focused on defense he was pretty damn impressive. I remember in the 11th round of the first Nelson fight, him making Azumah miss about 6 or 7 shots with only head movement. really beautiful stuff.

one of the best true pressure fighters you will ever see.

[infamous larryx]

He was a terrific pressure fighter. Somehow he became completely shot after the Nelson loss. Against Holiday and Grove, neither of who could punch, his punch resistance was terrible when in his prime he was known for his toughness. One must wonder what kind of training he was doing at that point in his career, if any at all. At bantamweight he was huge compared to his opponents, and won a title just 6 months after starting his pro career, but he couldn't stay at the weight for long.

He missed out on some good opponents, and retired after seemingly every other fight, but he had an impressive run for 8 years.

from what i heard the guy liked to drink

[Reloaded]

He was a terrific pressure fighter. Somehow he became completely shot after the Nelson loss. Against Holiday and Grove, neither of who could punch, his punch resistance was terrible when in his prime he was known for his toughness. One must wonder what kind of training he was doing at that point in his career, if any at all. At bantamweight he was huge compared to his opponents, and won a title just 6 months after starting his pro career, but he couldn't stay at the weight for long.

He missed out on some good opponents, and retired after seemingly every other fight, but he had an impressive run for 8 years.

His will to win went with the Vegas Nelson robbery , was mentally never the same after that , had nothing to do with training he always trained like a machine unreal work ethic , the rematch held at a greyhound track was like doomsday , I remember it clearly , it rained most of the day for the outdoors event , he wore into the ring the footy jumper of a guy that just died and talk was he was looking ordinary in training , Nelson dominated him ,, Kostya Tyszu made his pro debut on the undercard KOing Darrell Hiles , Fenechs asset was his conditioning and his mind , when he lost against Nelson his desire went with his unbeaten record and he just turned into an easy to hit club fighter , the Zaragoza fight was held in Perth and was a war it was one of his best fights , Daniel won another WT after that fight , I dont think Fenech realized how tough Zaragoza was going into that , Zarate was a gimme fight Carlos was a shell of his former greatness ,,, Fenech was a tough tough fighter pre Nelson 1 .