What’s The Buzz: How Kayla Fenech and Bradman Best won Jeff’s approval

When Jeff Fenech’s daughter Kayla told the boxing legend that she was dating an NRL star he didn’t take the news well.

Jeff Fenech never wanted his daughter to be in a relationship with an NRL star.

So when 28-year-old Kayla rang and said, “Dad, I’m going out with Bradman Best”, he exploded.

“He actually went apeshit,” Kayla said.

This was a few months ago when Fenech’s eldest daughter started dating the powerhouse Newcastle centre who, at 23, is five years younger.

“I’d always warned my girls about going out with league players,” Fenech said. “I’ve been knocking around with footballers all my life.

“They’re young and they love going out and having a good time.

“So when she rang and told me, I went off the deep end. I gave her a roasting. She kept trying to say, ‘Dad, he’s a lovely guy’. Kayla was telling me every day how nice he was.

Knights star Bradman Best with girlfriend Kayla Fenech. Credit: Supplied.

“Bradman knew I was angry, but he told Kayla, ‘I’ll prove your dad wrong’ - and he has.”

Kayla Fenech has an Instagram account with more than 220,000 followers.

And Best has been ‘liking’ her posts for several months.

Jeff eventually got to meet Best - and his opinion quickly changed.

He’s now even doing boxing sessions with the player, who showed so much talent as a junior fighter that many thought he would become a pro boxer instead of playing NRL.

“Maybe he was trying to impress his future father-in-law,” Jeff laughed. “He was very impressive when we trained.

Kayla Fenech. Credit: Supplied.

(L-R) Suzee and Jeff Fenech. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“When we first met, you could tell he was a good young man. He’s treating Kayla beautifully. Like a gentleman. They’re very happy. And so is my wife Suzee and I.

“The only time I got dirty is when he scored two tries against my Parramatta side last weekend and beat us.”

Kayla is now moving out of the family home in Five Dock. In three weeks she is heading to Newcastle to support Best’s NRL career at the Knights.

“We met on social media, started talking and hung out a few times,” she said.

“Now we’re dating.

“I said to Dad at the beginning that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Footy players can get a bad reputation. Bradman is so different.

“Dad now loves him. “He’s a good person, very down to earth, and treats me really well.

“Just an all-round good person with a big heart.

“He’s actually perfect.”