‘Fight of his life’: Jeff Fenech undergoes heart surgery in Thailand
Australia’s greatest ever boxer Jeff Fenech has undergone successful heart surgery in a Bangkok hospital - but the Hall of Famer’s fight is far from over.
Boxing/MMA
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Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech has undergone surgery on a blocked heart valve in a Bangkok hospital as he continues to battle pneumonia.
The 55-year-old underwent surgery on Tuesday night (AEDT) after antibiotics failed to fix an infected valve leading to his heart, daughter Kayla said.
Fenech, now a trainer, was in Thailand for a training camp when he fell ill.
Kayla said the surgery was a success but she was yet to speak with her father, who will now miss daughter Jess’ wedding.
“We landed and literally rushed to the hospital and got there, thank God, he was feeling okay, I guess he was scared. It was good to speak to him and give him a hug before he went in,” Kayla told the Nine Network.
“We’ve never seen him like this before so it’s hard for all of us and especially he’s definitely not attending my sister’s wedding, it’s a really hard time.”
Kayla said Fenech was not aware of the severity of his heart problem and had ignored his discomfort for several days before surgery.
Wife Suzee is also reportedly in Thailand with her husband.
Fenech earlier released a video explaining his illness.
“I’ve got some pretty bad news, I’ve got an infected valve that’s connected to my heart,” an emotional Fenech said in a video by Boxing Epicentre.
Team Fenech trainer Basil Nassis, who originally persuaded Fenech to go to hospital after calling an ambulance, told 9News before the surgery that Fenech is preparing himself for the fight of his life.
“The fighter that he is I’m starting to see that he’s preparing himself for what’s ahead,” said Nassis.
“Even here they’re telling him it’s going to be a three or four day recovery of getting up and he looked at nurse and said I’ll be up in one day.”
Fenech’s other daughter Jess is getting married on Saturday week in Sydney but her famous father has now been told he will be remaining in a Thailand hospital for at least another four weeks.
Fenech, 55, is gutted he will miss the wedding. He has been in tears.
Former heavyweight champion and Fenech’s former student, Mike Tyson, called to see how his old trainer was, said close friend and businessman Mark Bouris.
In his 33-fight professional boxing career, Fenech won 29 bouts, including 21 knockouts, and was a world champion in three weight divisions.