Australian boxing’s most iconic duo back together after long feud

Australian boxing’s greatest partnership has been revived after legendary pugilist Jeff Fenech and his former world championship trainer Johnny Lewis ended a long-running feud.

6th March 2023. The Daily Telegraph. Sport. Boxing. Five Dock, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Portraits of Johnny Lewis, Brock Jarvis and Jeff Fenech taken in Five Dock, Sydney. Jeff and Johnny Ð AustraliaÕs greatest boxing partnership Ð have reunited after a long fall out. The two will work in BrockÕs corner for a fight in Sydney this Wednesday night. Pics by Julian Andrews

This is the photograph Australian boxing fans feared they would never see.

Australian boxing’s greatest partnership has been revived after legendary pugilist Jeff Fenech and his former world championship trainer Johnny Lewis ended a long-running feud.

Fenech approached Lewis to end the dispute, the pair now teaming-up in the corner of star boxer Brock Jarvis, who fights in Eveleigh on Wednesday night.

Lewis and Fenech – who trains Jarvis – grew to become the most famous alliance in Australian sport before a fall out ended their once-unbreakable father-son bond.

The hall of fame pair formed a formidable boxer-trainer partnership through the 1980s and 1990s when Fenech won a history-making four world titles.

“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 said.

“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.”

Johnny Lewis and Jeff Fenech fell out after the pair made Australian boxing history in the 1980s and 90s. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Seeking an end to the drama, Fenech and Lewis agreed to reunite in the corner of Jarvis, who fights Filipino Marlon Paniamogan at Carriageworks, Eveleigh, at 64.5 kgs catchweight.

“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.”

The Daily Telegraph carried a story in 2019 revealing Fenech’s anger with Lewis after the boxer was near death in a Bangkok hospital battling pneumonia and a heart infection.

At the time, Fenech said: “I’m really disappointed. If anything happened to Johnny I’d be there in a heartbeat.”

Johnny Lewis (L), Brock Jarvis (C) and Jeff Fenech (R). Pics by Julian Andrews

The past has now been buried and Lewis was equally delighted to have rekindled his friendship – socially and professionally – with Fenech.

“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.

“I have always known the Jarvis family so when Jeff rang me, I had no hesitation. I think we can get young Brock up to where he is headed. Brock has the courage and attitude.

“The main thing is Jeff and I gel enough to make sure it runs into Brock. He is super confident but will still need to be told the right words and, together, Jeff and I can do that.”

Lewis, who turns 79 next week, recently walked away from training rising boxer, Harry Garside. Jarvis, 25, has 18 knockouts from his 20 wins.

Jarvis’ eight-round fight will be shown on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.