Why Jeff Fenech ended his years-long feud with super trainer Johnny Lewis after the pair combined for four world titles: ‘If it wasn’t for him I’d be dead’
- Jeff Fenech has ended feud with Johnny Lewis
- Fenech and Lewis will corner boxer Brock Jarvis
- Fenech admits he’d be dead if it wasn’t for Lewis
Famed Australian trainer Johnny Lewis and boxing legend Jeff Fenech have ended their bitter feud and are teaming up to corner rising Sydney fighter Brock Jarvis.
Lewis and Fenech once had an unbreakable father and son-like relationship that saw the Marrickville Mauler become a world champ in three weight divisions and widely regarded as the nation’s greatest ever boxer.
The pair had a falling out several years back, but have revived the friendship to corner Jarvis – one of the nation’s top boxing prospects.
Fenech, who approached the 79-year-old trainer of six world champions to patch things up, admits that he wouldn’t be where he was without Lewis.
‘We didn’t speak for a while and it was hard. Johnny was the person who changed my life and put me in the position I am today,’ Fenech told News Corp.
Famed Australian trainer Johnny Lewis and boxing legend Jeff Fenech have ended their famous feud and are teaming up to corner rising Sydney fighter Brock Jarvis
Lewis and Fenech once had an unbreakable father and son-like relationship that saw the Marrickville mauler become a world champ in three weight divisions and widely regarded as the nation’s greatest ever boxer
Lewis and Fenech were once the most famous duo in Australian sport until a famous falling out
‘We weren’t talking for a while and there were reasons. It wasn’t just hard, it was terrible; to see him somewhere and you don’t talk. It was on and off for years. It was a long time.
‘As tough as I am, brother, if it wasn’t for him I’d be dead. Every time I talk to Johnny, or after I would talk to him, I’d cry. It’s crazy.
‘Everything happens for a reason. I definitely wouldn’t be here today without him. His whole family, from his daughter to his son, everything just disappeared.
‘The truth is life is short. It would kill me not talking to him. For that to happen, for me, it just wasn’t right. It’s all good now.’
Jarvis will be fighting tough Filipino contender Marlon Paniamogan at Carriageworks, Eveleigh on Wednesday night, and Fenech believes Lewis will play a crucial role in the bout.
‘Johnny is the Wayne Bennett of Australian boxing,’ Fenech said. ‘Having Johnny back will be great for Brock and me. He is a real calming influence.
‘He is similar to Wayne in how he has control of a group. Johnny is a special man. I want him to be part of it. Johnny came over to my house on Monday and spoke with Brock. It was good.’
Lewis is also happy to be back working with his old protege and says he had no hesitation in agreeing to corner Jarvis.
Jarvis will be fighting tough Filipino contender Marlon Paniamogan at Carriageworks, Eveleigh on Wednesday night, and Fenech believes Lewis will play a crucial role in the bout (Brock Jarvis and Fenech pictured with Mike Tyson)
Fenech pictured training Jarvis – one of Australia’s hottest young prospects
‘I always knew this time would come,’ Lewis said. ‘What we did together was unequalled in most Australian sports.
‘The time Jeff and I had together has always been the greatest experience I have had in boxing.’
Lewis recently cut ties with rising boxing star and media darling Harry Garside for choosing a reality TV show instead of appearing in a Main Event on Foxtel.
Garside had been billed by main to be a potential world champion after his successful move into professional boxing; but Lewis believes that is now firmly on the backburner, and won’t be in his corner.
‘The ingredients for being a world champion are hard work and commitment,’ Lewis told the Daily Telegraph.
Lewis is also happy to be back working with his old protege and says he had no hesitation in agreeing to corner Jarvis
‘You can’t keep knocking back fights. There are no shortcuts in the fight game.’
‘All my great fighters from over the years were 100 per cent disciplined and dedicated to boxing.
‘We’d been talking to Harry about world titles and greatness. ‘I’m actually really disappointed but I genuinely wish him well although I’m not sure that he’s choosing the right path.’
Jarvis’ bout with Paniamogan on Wednesday night is part of the build to Tim Tszyu’s world title bout with Tony Harrison at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, March 12.
