Australian legend Jeff Fenech became a four-weight world champion today after the WBC awarded him a belt for the featherweight title many observers felt he was robbed of 31 years ago.
Fenech’s super featherweight world title fight against reigning champion Azumah Nelson was controversially scored a draw, despite nearly all those sat ringside having the Aussie a comfortable winner. A rematch was ordered and Nelson went on to stop Fenech in the 8th round.
The fight between Fenech and Nelson was watched and rescored by a specially assembled judging panel at the call of WBC president Mauricio Suleman, and they arrived at a unanimous decision win for the “Thunder from Down Under.”
In an emotional moment, Fenech was presented the belt by Miguel Cotto, Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez, which Fenech revealed was what made him proudest of all when he spoke after the presentation.
“I just want to say being on the stage with Miguel, Roberto and Julio makes me honoured enough and the belt is just a bonus. I can’t thank the WBC enough for giving me something that took over 30 years. I honestly believe I won that night, but that’s boxing.”
The legendary Jeff Fenech has been retroactively awarded a fourth world title after the @WBCBoxing reviewed the judging of the highly controversial draw with Azumah Nelson in 1991 #fourtimepic.twitter.com/iS0l98xjvu
— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) November 8, 2022
The retroactive decision has kickstarted debate amongst fans, with many now taking to social media to discuss other fights that should be reviewed.
Opinion on the move from the WBC seems to be fairly mixed, with some questioning the point in reversing the decision 31 years later as well as voicing concerns for the implications for other fights.