Updated 26 June 2008

Fenech V Nelson - After

The Jeff Fenech versus Azumah Nelson drag over 10 rounds in half full (half empty) Vodafone brought self-promoter Fenech a majority decision (two judges for Fenech, the third a draw). Half a lifetime ago he called himself the Marrickville Mauler, but this was his first real maul - lean on with none of the fast punching of old. What else did they expect?

Roger Franklin wrote in the Herald Sun: "For those who didn’t mind opening their wallets to take in - and be taken in by - a geriatric freak show, what a gold plated top-dollar dismal show it was."

"Talk about stinkers?" Fenech told the AAP reporter rather to look at Mundine and Green: "Let Azumah hit (them) and they’d be crawling on the floor."

Azumah was heard to say after the bout: "It was supposed to be a draw."
- Protested an official, Melbourne fight judges would never promise a fix.
- It’s not the judges who’d make a promise . . said the sceptic.

Some of our observers:

Mike Altamura, the Iceman: It looked like a 44 year old against a 49 year old..
Slow motion. We saw fragments of their eroded skill. However they passed the doctor.

Damien Membrey, timekeeper: Fenech was good - for his age. Nelson did some neat uppercuts. They booed Fenech for backpedalling in the final two rounds. Reckoned that was the unAustralian thing to do, run when he had the money.

Len Mitchell, trainer: They started as two rusty old men but improved a bit. The friends watching on my teevee all laughed when Nelson said, ’It was supposed to be a draw.’

Bryan Membrey, former OPBF chairman: William Kickett (who beat Gairy St Clair) was the night’s treat. Beautiful quick hands found the mark from any angle. Call him the modern day Rose.

Brian Schofield, former Australian Jr-Light champion: Fenech v Nelson was embarrassing – like a couple of grandfathers.

Cool Willie Kickett reminded me of Roger Mayweather. Slipping punches by a centimeter, he didn’t get hit cleanly at all by world-class Gairy St Clair. Kickett’s going to be better than Anthony Mundine: he beat a better guy than Mundine’s been meeting.

11 June 2008

Mike C Ryan writes:

Jeff Fenech is to face Azumah Nelson in Melbourne on June 24.

Twelve years ago (18 May 1996) we saw Fenech folded in two rounds by Philip Holiday. Patently washed up, Jeff gave the game away.

Nelson, too, has been a decade retired. The Ghanian is in his 50th year, Fenech coming up 44. The media with short memory treat this as a serious match. It was 16 years ago (1 March 1992) in Melbourne that Azumah Nelson knocked out Fenech. Eight months before that in Las Vegas the draw, Jeff’s last great match.

Another year on, Calvin Grove knocked out Fenech. Three months later Lester Ellis ran Calvin Grove to a half-point decision.

How is it possible that the spent rocket from another millennium is claiming the heights? Would you risk a League footballer who’d hung up his boots 12 years ago, back in the national competition?

But perhaps the old pals will make it a waltz.

Bob Drane writes:

Back in 1992 when Jeff Fenech was kayoed by Azumah Nelson after training poorly for the fight, he lost his ability to take a punch. Jeff admitted as much to me years later. "The pain got through to my brain", he said. Once a fighter loses his toughness he never regains it. In recent times Tommy Morrisson was an outstanding example.

Some fighters have recovered from knockout losses as though nothing happened. After Jack Carroll was last stopped, by Fred Henneberry, he never again lost a fight. In fact, he defeated the much heavier Henneberry twice after that.

Fenech was dumped twice more before he retired, by Calvin Grove and Phillip Holiday.

Azumah Nelson is now 50, and Fenech should hope that he has lost his speed and explosive power. The early rounds, if Fenech survives them, will be torrid for him. After the halfway point, Fenech's fitness will be a factor. He's still amazingly fit, and if he's allowed to fight the swarming fight he's capable of, Jeff will wear The Professor down and take the points. Or Nelson will drop from exhaustion.

Either way, it's a great pity this fight will forever remain on the records of the two great warriors. It would be better for the game, and for them, if this fight never happened. I just hope neither man gets hurt.

Dave Wellings writes:

If two ageing businessmen wish to compete against each other, they should consider golf - or perhaps lawn bowls.

Michael Macdonald writes:

Still living In the 90's? Fenech and Azumah Nelson ... to be taken seriously or simply a novelty match? Maybe Henry Cooper and Joe Bugner could sign on as the undercard. Henry has been claiming he was robbed since 1971.

John Murphy writes:

I expect Fenech to beat Nelson in this, their third match. He can’t afford to lose or he will be a laughing stock. If Fenech wins it can lead to further lucrative matches against, for example, Barry Michael. Barry was asking for that one for over 20 years.

As a curiosity, Fenech v Nelson brings to mind the 1984 ring contest of Mark ’Jacko’ Jackson and Ron Andrews, the footballers. Neither man had ever boxed professional but their on-field fights were news.

In December 1984, Sam Bruno matched Jacko and Andrews over six rounds at Perth Entertainment Centre. Four thousand spectators paid $102,000 to attend (Jacko won on points).

Fenech-Nelson III should draw a big house too.

Jack Sharkey writes:

Both are hall of famers. At one time they were world champions and national heroes, exciting fighters. However l pose the question, Will two mouldy oldies doing battle for a third time, many, many years past their best, do good for boxing? Between them they have been out of the pugilistic sport for 22 years!

Let’s look at the motives for Fenech v Nelson III. Is it a superannuation payout for two elder statesmen of boxing. Is it to finish an old score: Fenech drew with Nelson the first time (most thought he won); he was knocked out the next. Or is it two old mates getting together putting on a show for a big pay day. The fight is not for a title, a ranking or even a return to boxing after the stoush. So what is this event? Some may say it is a con to get money. This is not going to benefit boxing in my book at all. It is just granding and a bit of theatre. A joke, that is laughable, and a bit silly really. Maybe it’s good business for them both, but is it good business for boxing and the paying public. I’m a purist at heart … so not for me …boxing fans are not mugs and know they are on the take for a cash grab.
Will it draw? Maybe it will. Just a flash in the pan Here today and gone tomorrow.The result doesn’t matter either. Just what crowd did we get. Was it a sell out and that’s all…..Anyway good luck to them. We all need to make a dollar or two… Not good for boxing in my book. Nelson KO again. But Fenech and Azumah a lot richer. Will boxing be richer for witnessing this fiasco?

Just ponder… Nelson would be eligible for pension card to travel on public transport if he resided here. Could get pensioner insurance for the fifty and overs...

Don ‘Kid’ Young writes:

Fenech and Nelson are the night’s big names . . but the big future lies in a supporting bout, William Kickett vs Gairy St Clair. Youthful Kickett from WA is risking his 10-0 rise against the international Guyanan who gathered 40-6-2 against the world’s best. They can seriously call Cool Willie “the next Lionel Rose” if he wins this one.

Another high talent, Daniel Geale, defends his IBO middleweight title against British-Serb, Geard Ajetovic, in Sydney three nights later.

Kickett and Geale have the potential for a new ‘Rose and Famechon’ era -- if boxing regains its balance.