What’s the Buzz: WBC to act on 30-year injustice in Jeff Fenech-Azumah Nelson fight

Thirty years after Jeff Fenech was famously robbed of victory against Azumah Nelson in Las Vegas, the WBC is considering retrospectively awarding a belt to the Marrickville Mauler.

Jeff Fenech and Azumah Nelson fought three times.

One of the greatest injustices in Australian sporting history could soon be rectified.

Thirty years after boxing legend Jeff Fenech was famously robbed of victory against Azumah Nelson in Las Vegas in a world title fight, the WBC is now considering retrospectively awarding a belt to the old Marrickville Mauler.

A panel of judges is understood to have reviewed the fight and found Fenech actually won the contest, not that there was any doubt for Fenech’s army of Aussie fans in 1991.

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Many suggest he actually won nine of the 12 rounds before the fight was called a draw and Nelson retained his world title.

President of the WBC Mauricio Sulaiman has spoken to The Sunday Telegraph and confirmed his organisation is working on a plan to give Fenech what would be his fourth world title belt.

Jeff Fenech was robbed of a fourth world title against Azumah Nelson in Las Vegas in 1991.

“We have to go through the whole process,” Sulaiman said from the US.

“This is something I have discussed with Jeff. I’m trying to do something very special. That’s how highly I think of Jeff. I was at the fight all those years ago and thought he won.

“I wish I could discuss it openly with you. It’s something that has been discussed for a long time. There is a board of governance and I have to respect that. I have to go through the process correctly but I can say, very possibly, this will happen.”

The fight at the Mirage hotel and casino, on a Mike Tyson undercard, remains one of the most controversial results in boxing history.

The official judges Jerry Roth of Las Vegas had Fenech ahead 115-113, Miguel Donate of Puerto Rico scored it 116-112 for Nelson and Dave Moretti of Las Vegas had it 114-114.

Jeff Fenech was furious when the judges called the fight a draw. Picture: AP

The decision was booed by 15,000 fans at the venue.

“It was total bull crap – I’ve been robbed,” Fenech said at the time.

“The whole world knows I won.”

Most believe Nelson won three of the first four rounds but Fenech the remaining eight rounds. This story is almost too outrageous to be true.

The decision would have monumental ramifications in boxing.

Does the WBC go back and look at other controversial verdicts, of which there have been hundreds over the years?

Fenech and Nelson fought three times. A year after the Las Vegas fight, Nelson beat Fenech in Melbourne, stopping him in the eighth round.

In March 2008, when both were way past their best and 10kg heavier than in 1992, Fenech, 43 and Nelson, 49, had one final exhibition fight.

The three judges scored the bout 96-94, 96-94 and 95-95 to Fenech.