Jeff Fenech believes Tim Tszyu will showcase a new side of himself with Fenech as his trainer, after the Sydney fighter recently dismissed his team for the second time in three bouts. Tszyu, who had worked with Cuban coach Pedro Diaz leading up to his last few fights, sought a fresh direction after feeling unsatisfied with his performances.
Fenech, an Australian boxing Hall of Famer, expressed his intent to bring out the best in Tszyu, stating that he had noticed the fighter did not look like himself in recent contests. Tszyu appointed Fenech not only as his trainer but is also considering him as a manager, particularly in light of Tszyu’s upcoming fight against former champion Errol Spence. This transition comes amid Tszyu’s ongoing personal and legal challenges, including a rift with his brother Nikita and legal issues with former manager Glen Jennings.
Fenech had previously voiced concerns about Tszyu’s training under Diaz, even going as far as to label it “not good.” He left Tszyu’s last fight against Nurja after eight rounds, citing personal commitments and an understanding of the match’s trajectory. Despite speculation about dissatisfaction with Diaz’s coaching, Fenech maintained that only Tszyu could truly address his feelings on the matter.
Now stepping into his new role, Fenech is optimistic about their partnership, affirming that he and Tszyu are aligned in their vision. Their recent discussions have focused on Tszyu’s training and potential management strategies, including opponent selection.
He acknowledged the monumental task ahead of them, especially against a fighter of Spence’s calibre. Fenech emphasised the importance of refocusing Tszyu’s training, addressing distractions from his personal life while instilling his own techniques. He leads plans for an intensive training camp in Thailand, aiming to help Tszyu fine-tune his skills.
Fenech’s approach involves implementing basic yet pivotal adjustments to Tszyu’s technique, such as improving his combinations and ring positioning. He believes that once Tszyu learns these principles, he will appreciate the impact they can have on his performance.
Despite the challenges and corrections needed, Fenech is committed to guiding Tszyu towards success, drawing from his own experiences in the sport. The boxer’s journey under Fenech’s mentorship will be one to watch as they prepare for the looming showdown with Spence. Fenech’s focus remains solely on maximising Tszyu’s potential as they embark on this new chapter together.