Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech comes through six-hour surgery

Legendary Australian boxer Jeff Fenech has come through open heart surgery, just days after being rushed to hospital after suffering a severe reaction to a mystery infection.

Legendary Australian boxer Jeff Fenech has successfully come through open heart surgery.

The four-time champion underwent a six hour operation in Sydney on Thursday after a bacterial virus had damaged his heart, stomach and wrist.

Fenech had also been cut down by a body temperature of nearly 40.

His wife, Suzee, said doctors had to “start from scratch but all went well.”

A badly swollen left wrist was also concerning Fenech with doctors fearing it was linked to his heart condition.

Friend and boxing co-commentator Ben Damon posted: “The legendary Jeff Fenech has had successful open heart surgery to replace a leaking infected heart valve and is now recovering in hospital.

“The surgeon is happy with how the six hour operation went.”

Fenech’s daughter Kaylaa also took to social media on Thursday night to update followers on her father’s condition.

Boxing great Jeff Fenech. Photo: Supplied

Fenech has suffered a ‘mystery infection’. Photo: Supplied

“Just keeping you all in the loop. Dad has just come out of surgery and all went well,” she said. “Strongest man I know. You got this Dad.”

And daughter Jessica said: “Dad has just come out of heart surgery after six hours and all is okay.”

Fenech was last week rushed to hospital for urgent tests on his heart.

“I’m as sick as a dog,” he said on Wednesday.

“I feel shithouse - I’m as sick as a dog. I have a mystery infection. I’m sick of it.”

The Australian boxing legend was rushed to hospital earlier this week for urgent tests on his heart with the four-time champion declaring: “I’m as sick as a dog.”

Fenech feared he may require urgent surgery to combat what he calls a “mystery infection.”

A badly swollen wrist also concerned Fenech with doctors fearing it may be linked to a heart condition.

Fenech, arguably Australia’s greatest boxer, was at Camperdown’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital but moved to a private hospital in Sydney’s inner-west on Wednesday.

“They think it has something to do with my heart and valves,” he said on Wednesday.

“They have done heaps of tests. I don’t yet know what the results are.

“I came to hospital during the day on Tuesday. I have had a high temperature for more than 12 days now. It was 39.8.

“I hope I don’t need surgery but I don’t know. I hope not, I hope not.

“I also have a really bad infection in my wrist and they think it could be heart related. If you see my wrist you’d die, it’s massive. It’s red, inflamed, swollen and sore.

“It could be an infection coming from the valves which has spread through my body. They don’t know yet.

“Of course I’m worried, of course I am. I don’t want another operation. F… that.”

Jeff Fenech is one of the icons of Australian boxing. Credit: Al Bello/Allsport

Fenech, who was supposed to undergo a hernia operation last week, was clearly distressed during this masthead’s brief interview.

Those close to Fenech are concerned by his condition.

Fenech underwent life saving heart surgery in Bangkok during 2019 to replace an infected heart valve. He was taken to hospital back then after coughing up blood during a training session.

In a five-hour operation, Thai surgeons replaced the heart valve and drained fluid from his lungs.

At the time, Fenech said: “I’ve got some pretty bad news, I’ve got an infected valve that’s connected to my heart.”

Fenech finished his decorated boxing career with 28 wins, three losses and a controversial draw against Ghana’s Azumah Nelson.

Now 59, Fenech trains young boxing protégé Hass Hamdan.

He remains close friends with boxing American legend Mike Tyson and billionaire Australian businessman James Packer.

Originally published as Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech comes through six-hour surgery