10. 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. Since his super-feather belt was not at stake he moved back down and went on to face such competition as Jeff Fenech (twice), Gabriel Ruelas, and a draw to Jesse James Leija. Jeff Fenech 129 lbs lost to Azumah Nelson 129 lbs by TKO at 2:20 in round 8 of 12. 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. Fenech then made the mistake of rising too fast from the knockdown and the hometown hero was still dazed and confused as Nelson moved in for the finish. In Bokum kids are allowed to fight on the streets as long as they are the same age and used no weapons. Further hand trouble forced Fenech to retire from the sport. Both of these men are legends. It was the second meeting of their trilogy. 2 9. Instead, the media and the public were focused on the heavyweight spectacle and Tyson’s vulgar mockery of his formidable Canadian opponent. 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. 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. Jeff Fenech 129 lbs drew with Azumah Nelson 130 lbs by SD in round 12 of 12. Find the perfect Jeff Fenech V Azumah Nelson stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Main Event's Ben Damon believes that the issue with Azumah Nelson stemmed more from the judges decision in their 1991 fight. 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.” Nelson went on to win the WBC super-feather title in February 1988 when he won a disputed decision over Mario Martinez. After a comeback win, he made his American debut against the legendary Azumah Nelson. He won world titles in three weight divisions, and is best known for his trilogy with Ghanaian boxer Azumah Nelson. 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. It was the second meeting of their trilogy. “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. 2 9. He had fought with such confidence and ferocity that Nelson’s advantages in experience, power and accuracy were largely nullified, but now, in front of a huge crowd of his fellow Australians, Fenech appeared uncomfortable and hesitant. Azumah Nelson takes on Jeff Fenech for the WBC 130 lb world title. That was when he began to train as a boxer. Sanchez died in a car crash shortly after this fight. Salvador Sanchez won the WBC featherweight title by TKO 15. Their first fight was nine months earlier and ended in a split decision draw. In 1990, he made an attempt to move up to lightweight, but was easily out-pointed by Pernell Whitaker. Find the perfect Jeff Fenech V Azumah Nelson stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. 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. According to “The Marrickville Mauler” himself, the outcome changed him and not for the better. 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. Jeff Fenech - … Fighting was a hobby it was a way of life for the children of the region. 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. Azumah “The Professor” Nelson was born on September 19, 1958 in the newly independent Ghana. 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. Azumah grew up in the harsh environment of the Bokum province in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Many believe Jeff won the first fight but Nelson was ready in the rematch. Jeff Fenech 129 lbs lost to Azumah Nelson 129 lbs by TKO at 2:20 in round 8 of 12. He tried on several occasions in the streets, but was led into the gym to face the best boxer at the time. Until, abruptly, it was not. … 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. Standard cheap shot at Fenech. Jeff Fenech vows to go ahead with Azumah Nelson bout. But in the rematch, Nelson’s power was just too much. 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. Fact is he dominated Nelson in Las Vegas and should have been awarded the contest. 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. 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 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. Azumah “The Professor” Nelson was born on September 19, 1958 in the newly independent Ghana. During his career, 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. It was the second meeting of their trilogy. A retired former professional boxer is named Azumah Nelson who started his boxing career in the year 1979 making his last fight in 2008. "Azumah Nelson is arguably Africa's finest boxer ever. Has a record of 18-4-2 (12 KO) in world title fights. 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. It was the second meeting of their trilogy. – George Foreman. Azumah Nelson (born 19 July 1958) is a Ghanaian former professional boxer who competed from 1979 to 2008. Jeff Fenech (born 28 May 1964) is a retired Australian professional boxer. However, just over a year-and-change later, he returned. The controversial finish eclipsed both a great fight and an inspiring performance from Fenech, and then, as Tyson and Ruddock locked horns, everyone but the die-hards put Nelson vs Fenech out of their minds. Named The Ring magazine Upset of the Year for 1992.; In front of 40,000 … 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. Both boxers won a standing ovation. And he almost won a fourth belt in a classic for which he might be best remembered. Read John Cena net worth. 10. The main event, Azumah Nelson versus Jeff Fenech for the world light-weight championship, is due to start at 2 p.m. Azumah “The Professor” Nelson was born on September 19, 1958 in the newly independent Ghana. Azumah kept coming back and eventually was able to take on the man with success. 10. 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, … So, I take my hat off to both, fearless warriors who would fight anybody, anywhere. Like his father, Azumah wanted to box, and he truly believed he could beat anyone. 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. Montreal is The Fight City. Date: 1991-06-28; Location: Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Referee: Joe Cortez; Judge: Jerry Roth 115-113. Azumah Nelson’s Professional Record Championship Record. ... to complete a trilogy against rival Jeff Fenech. Montreal is The Fight City. "The Professor" Azumah Nelson defends his WBC Super Featherweight and avenges an earlier loss to Australia's Jeff Fenech in the rematch in which Fenech was the favorite after nearly knocking out Nelson in their first meeting in the last round of a scheduled 12 rounder. That first Nelson vs Fenech battle, a match between two world champions with much on the line in terms of history and achievement, should have been a main event unto itself. 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. From the opening bell it was clear this was a different version of the Azumah Nelson who had been so passive the previous June. Jeff Fenech 129 lbs drew with Azumah Nelson 130 lbs by SD in round 12 of 12. It appeared a slip, but the referee gave him the count. Both boxers won a standing ovation. 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. Nelson was too classy and clearly Jeff was desperate and couldn’t respond. In the first match, Fenech was in command. 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. I was never the same fighter and we never really seen [again] the guy that fought Azumah Nelson in Vegas.”. The WBC title was won by Juan La Porte on September 15, 1982 and made two successful defences before losing the title to Wilfredo Gomez on March 31, 1984. Select from premium Jeff Fenech V Azumah Nelson of the highest quality. Everyone except Fenech, of course. It has been raining steadily since the program of preliminary bouts commenced at 11 a.m. Now, one hour before Nelson, 49, has not fought since 1999. In the rematch eight months later, Nelson ventured to Australia and stopped Fenech via 8th round kayo. It was the second meeting of their trilogy. Jeff Fenech's final triumph over three-time rival Azumah Nelson, on points after 10 rounds, might have something to do with it. 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