Jeff Fenech - … Instead, the media and the public were focused on the heavyweight spectacle and Tyson’s vulgar mockery of his formidable Canadian opponent. Date: 1992-03-01 Location: Princes Park Football Ground, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Referee: Arthur Mercante Judge: Tom Kaczmarek 66-66 Judge: Harry Gibbs 65-68 Judge: Rudy Ortega 66-66 WBC World Super Featherweight Title; Notes. Since his historic fight with Sanchez, Nelson went right back to his winning ways by winning six straight fights before facing Gomez. Azumah grew up in the harsh environment of the Bokum province in … It has been raining steadily since the program of preliminary bouts commenced at 11 a.m. Now, one hour before Man, I remember that fight. Everyone except Fenech, of course. Select from premium Jeff Fenech V Azumah Nelson of the highest quality. “The Marrickville Mauler” won titles in three divisions, narrowly missing a fourth in a disputed draw to Azumah Nelson in 1991. Jeff Fenech (born 28 May 1964) is a retired Australian professional boxer. … In round two he found himself off balance after taking a right hand and lost his footing. Azumah Nelson’s Professional Record Championship Record. — Michael Carbert. Fenech, 55, fights Azumah Nelson (left) at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas In November this year Fenech underwent heart surgery in Thailand and needed 24 hour care from his wife during recovery He was a two-weight world champion, having held the WBC featherweight title from 1984 to 1987 and the WBC super-featherweight title twice between 1988 and 1997. Nelson’s moniker was “The Professor” and the man from Ghana was clearly intent on teaching the younger Fenech a painful lesson, as from the outset he held his ground and let fly with powerful blows from either hand. Azumah “The Professor” Nelson was born on September 19, 1958 in the newly independent Ghana. International Hall of Fame boxer Azumah Nelson, 39-6-2, 28 KO’s, was one of the very best fighters of the 1980s and 1990s. After going 50-1 as an amateur and a Commonwealth championship as a featherweight, Nelson picked up gold in the featherweight division at the Edmonton games in 1978. Jeff Fenech 129 lbs drew with Azumah Nelson 130 lbs by SD in round 12 of 12. On this day 1 March 1992 (Exactly 27 years ago) Ghana’s Azumah Nelson TKOs Jeff Fenech of Australia in round 8 at Princes Park Football Ground, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and retained his WBC super featherweight title. It was the second meeting of their trilogy. Near the end of the sixth the challenger got what he wanted as he forced Nelson into his own corner, but the hunted became the hunter when the champion unleashed a counter barrage of heavy blows that had Fenech reeling and grateful to hear the bell. Named The Ring magazine Upset of the Year for 1992.; In front of 40,000 … Date: 1991-06-28; Location: Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Referee: Joe Cortez; Judge: Jerry Roth 115-113. It may not be right or just, but the fact remains that when it comes to drawing attention and selling tickets, the heavyweights are always tops in boxing. Date: 1992-03-01 Location: Princes Park Football Ground, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Referee: Arthur Mercante Judge: Tom Kaczmarek 66-66 Judge: Harry Gibbs 65-68 Judge: Rudy Ortega 66-66 WBC World Super Featherweight Title; Notes. He also challenged once for the unified WBC and IBF lightweight titles in 1990. On this day 1 March 1992 (Exactly 27 years ago) Ghana’s Azumah Nelson TKOs Jeff Fenech of Australia in round 8 at Princes Park Football Ground, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and … Jeff Fenech one of the greatest to come from Australia. Nelson was too classy and clearly Jeff was desperate and couldn’t respond. Surprisingly then, in the seventh “The Thunder From Down Under” had his best round yet as he consistently beat Azumah to the punch, and while Nelson’s advantage in sheer power had largely defined the proceedings, the fight was still up for grabs. Flush left hooks, then an uppercut and a finishing right hand had the Australian’s head snapping around like a speed bag before the referee stepped in to rescue him. Both boxers won a standing ovation. In my country, Ghana, the name ‘Azumah Nelson’ is a synonym for the words “fighter,” “perseverance” and “legendary.”, “Boxing is the sport to which all other sports aspire.” He then defended 3 times, including a rematch with Martinez whom he stopped in the 12th. And he almost won a fourth belt in a classic for which he might be best remembered. 3. He also challenged once for the unified WBC and IBF lightweight titles in 1990. °Lost against Salvador Sanchez, Pernell Whitaker & Jeff Fenech. On this day 1 March 1992 (Exactly 27 years ago) Ghana’s Azumah Nelson TKOs Jeff Fenech of Australia in round 8 at Princes Park Football Ground, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and retained his WBC super featherweight title. Salvador Sanchez won the WBC featherweight title by TKO 15. The main event, Azumah Nelson versus Jeff Fenech for the world light-weight championship, is due to start at 2 p.m. Yes, Mike Tyson vs Donovan “Razor” Ruddock was a compelling duel of huge heavyweight punchers, not to mention an intriguing rematch after their first meeting had been halted prematurely by referee Richard Steele four months previous. Azumah Nelson (born 19 July 1958) is a Ghanaian former professional boxer who competed from 1979 to 2008. He then called it quit having had a successful boxing career. Azumah Nelson is arguably Africa's finest boxer ever. In Las Vegas Fenech had attacked almost with impunity, pinning Azumah to the ropes and dictating the terms and in the process robbing the champion of punching room. ... to complete a trilogy against rival Jeff Fenech. Read John Cena net worth. 10. You could have the second coming of Sugar Ray Robinson in action, but if the stadium across town has a dynamic heavyweight knockout artist on the bill, Sugar Man will be performing for many rows of empty seats. All rights reserved. Jeff Fenech vows to go ahead with Azumah Nelson bout. The shocked crowd of Fenech fans looked on in silence as a small contingent of Ghanaians gleefully danced and waved aloft their red, green and yellow flags. Montreal is The Fight City. Nelson ruled the featherweight division for three years, until he relinquished his crown to move up to super-featherweight. 3. … Over the previous nine years, Azumah Nelson had won two world titles and established himself as a legit Hall of Famer, while Australia’s Jeff Fenech was an undefeated three-time world champ, gunning now for a fourth belt. Nelson starts well, but as the fight goes on, he seems like he is struggling physically to deal with the swarming attack of Fenech, and some of the later rounds are very tough, especially the last round. Australians have never forgiven Ghana for Azumah’s demolition of their national icon Jeff Fenech. Former World Boxing Council (WBC) Super featherweight champion and boxing legend, Prof. Azumah Nelson has revealed that his last fight with Jeff Fenech was an exhibition fight.According to him, the Australian had heard of the Azumah Nelson Foundation and what he was doing with it so called for a fight to raise funds to support the Ghanaian philanthropist agenda. In the last paragraph its stated that Fenech had”nothing to be ashamed of .”He should of been ashamed of that knee he threw at the end of the third round.If Mercante had seen it ,it would have warranted a dq.A classless act.Just like his protege Horn. But the little recognized fact was that the night’s undercard feature was arguably, with not a trace of hyperbole, one of the best match-ups in recent boxing history, for any weight class. Fighting was a hobby it was a way of life for the children of the region. Upon returning to the 130-pound class he defended his championship six more times, including a controversial draw with Australian Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech on June 28, 1991. He is considered one of the greatest African boxers of all time. With Sanchez’s death, the boxing world was in shock. He went 13-0 to start his pro-career. Instead, after twelve fast-paced and hard-fought rounds of which Fenech clearly won at least seven, the judges scored the contest a draw. In June 1991 in … Nelson starts well, but as the fight goes on, he seems like he is struggling physically to deal with the swarming attack of Fenech, and some of the later rounds are very tough, especially the last round. Azumah “The Professor” Nelson was born on September 19, 1958 in the newly independent Ghana. 10. 1 9. From the opening bell it was clear this was a different version of the Azumah Nelson who had been so passive the previous June. The boy beat him, but that did not matter. On this day 1 March 1992 (Exactly 27 years ago) Ghana’s Azumah Nelson TKOs Jeff Fenech of Australia in round 8 at Princes Park Football Ground, … Jeff Fenech is a brutally honest personality–it matches the fighting style that made him an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee. Azumah “The Professor” Nelson was born on September 19, 1958 in the newly independent Ghana. But perhaps the Nelson vs Fenech rematch should be less about the abrupt decline of one of the best boxers to ever come out of Australia, and more about the greatness of Azumah Nelson. Both of these men are legends. Their first fight was nine months earlier and ended in a […] That was when he began to train as a boxer. Date: 1991-06-28; Location: Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Referee: Joe Cortez; Judge: Jerry Roth 115-113. Azumah Nelson (born 19 July 1958) is a Ghanaian former professional boxer who competed from 1979 to 2008. It’s difficult to be certain if that accounts for the contrast in performances, but what is undeniable is that when they met the second time, it was Nelson who looked every inch an all-time great. “I can’t put my finger on it and tell you exactly what it done to me but I can tell you I was never the same fighter,” he told Daniel Attias in 2015. Standard cheap shot at Fenech. So, I take my hat off to both, fearless warriors who would fight anybody, anywhere. A thudding left hook found the sweet spot on the Australian’s chin and froze him; another left and two rights sent him crashing to the floor. Jeff Fenech 129 lbs lost to Azumah Nelson 129 lbs by TKO at 2:20 in round 8 of 12. Many believe Jeff won the first fight but Nelson was ready in the rematch. Nelson lost his next two fights to Genaro Hernandez and a fourth meeting with Leija. Their first fight was nine months earlier and ended in a […] Sanchez died in a car crash shortly after this fight. Jeff Fenech (born 28 May 1964) is a retired Australian professional boxer. We’ve seen it many times before and since: an otherwise entertaining and action-packed donnybrook marred by inept officiating. A metropolis where hundreds of young warriors train and battle each day in its many gyms, it is where Archie Moore, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Bernard Hopkins all found greatness. Main Event's Ben Damon believes that the issue with Azumah Nelson stemmed more from the judges decision in their 1991 fight. Another unpleasant truth about the fight game is it almost never misses a chance to ruin a good thing and so it was with Nelson vs Fenech, part one. He was a two-weight world champion, having held the WBC featherweight title from 1984 to 1987 and the WBC super-featherweight title twice between 1988 and 1997. Jeff Fenech v Azumah Nelson, Princess Park, Melbourne 1992 The crowd here at Melbourne’s Princess Park is restless. A retired former professional boxer is named Azumah Nelson who started his boxing career in the year 1979 making his last fight in 2008. Sorry, but the big guys turn heads and make the turnstiles sing. So Nelson was ready in the rematch but Jeff was so hurt by the decision in the first fight that that it took something out of him. 10. “After the [first Nelson] fight I came back home, obviously heartbroken and disappointed [and] I was never the same. He won world … Further hand trouble forced Fenech to retire from the sport. °Won against Wilfredo Gomez & Jeff Fenech. Azumah grew up in the harsh environment of the Bokum province in … In his 14th fight as a pro, he showed the stuff that spawn legends as he stepped up against the legendary WBC featherweight champion, Salvador Sanchez. Azumah Nelson takes on Jeff Fenech for the WBC 130 lb world title. In Bokum kids are allowed to fight on the streets as long as they are the same age and used no weapons. It had become a contest of wills with the champion working to stay away from the ropes while Fenech continually pressed forward. Some forty thousand proud Australians endured a rainstorm to fill the Princes Park in Melbourne, all there to see a wrong righted, but it was not to be. Azumah kept coming back and eventually was able to take on the man with success. I was never the same fighter and we never really seen [again] the guy that fought Azumah Nelson in Vegas.”. Copyright © 1994 - 2021 GhanaWeb. 2 9. Conclusion/Lessons There are lessons Ghanaians can learn from “Professor” Azumah Nelson. According to “The Marrickville Mauler” himself, the outcome changed him and not for the better. But perhaps it was just as well that sports fans and the mainstream press were less than enthralled by the Tyson-Ruddock undercard, because more attention to it would have meant yet more bad publicity for boxing. Find the perfect Jeff Fenech V Azumah Nelson stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. °Drew with Jeff Fenech. In the rematch eight months later, Nelson ventured to Australia and stopped Fenech via 8th round kayo. Their first fight was nine months earlier and ended in a split decision draw. Nelson was a fighter who went 15 rounds with the late, great Sanchez on short notice, may his soul rest in peace, and he beat another legend, one of my favorite fighters of all time, Wilfredo Gomez. It turned out that he was the greatest champions as Sanchez was killed in an automobile accident 22 days later. Both boxers won a standing ovation. Known in years past as "Sin City" and "Babylon on the St. Lawrence", it saw more than its share of ring legends over the decades. AGEING boxer Jeff Fenech, 44, has ducked calls by Australian doctors to pull out of a fight with 49-year-old opponent Azumah Nelson … Outsiders knew about the kids from Bokum, and even if you were a talented fighter, you did not mess with the kids from Bokum even if you were older. 1 9. According to an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Fenech says that one of his career rivals, Azumah Nelson, has called him out for a trilogy bout. However, just over a year-and-change later, he returned. In the third Fenech pinned the man from Ghana in his own corner but failed to land any significant blows, and in the fourth, as if anything else could go wrong, he sustained a cut on his right eye. It was the second meeting of their trilogy. Nelson went on to win the WBC super-feather title in February 1988 when he won a disputed decision over Mario Martinez. Outraged by the questionable decision, he returned to Australia and was back in the ring just three months later, but something was gone for good. He tried on several occasions in the streets, but was led into the gym to face the best boxer at the time. Fenech had nothing to be ashamed of; it had been a violent slugfest all the way and he had battled bravely, but his mistake was in preparing for the same Nelson who had been, comparatively, so weak and defensive back in June. It was the second meeting of their trilogy. In the rematch eight months later, Nelson ventured to Australia and stopped Fenech via 8th round kayo. Montreal is The Fight City. Named The Ring magazine Upset of the Year for 1992.; In front of 40,000 … Fenech and Nelson first locked horns in Las Vegas in 1991 where they slugged out a controversial draw and many observers were adamant that Fenech deserved a victory. 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