Aussie boxing feud erupts as Hass Hamdan calls out Brock Jarvis following Jeff Fenech reunion

The falling out of two of boxing’s rising stars – and former best friends – that started with a social media faux pas has intensified following a fresh twist in Jeff Fenech’s camp.

Jeff Fenech has reunited with young boxer Brock Jarvis – causing a fresh rift for the rising star. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

A simmering Aussie boxing rivalry has erupted, with Hass Hamdan calling out his former training partner Brock Jarvis for a domestic grudge match, even labelling his former best mate ‘Glass Jaw Jarvis’.

Hamdan – son of former boxer, Nader – and Jarvis were virtually inseparable for a number of years as they both trained under Jeff Fenech.

But the pair fell out in the wake of Jarvis’ first round knockout loss to Liam Paro in 2022. According to Hamdan, Jarvis was furious that he’d “liked” an Instagram post congratulating Paro on the victory.

The pair have barely spoken since, with Hamdan eventually joining Paro’s training camp as the Queenslander prepared for his stunning world title win over Subriel Matias in June.

Jarvis hasn’t fought since March 2023 when he parted ways with Fenech, but has reunited with the four-time world champion, and is returning to the ring on No Limit’s December 13 card in Sydney.

And Hamdan wants to settle their differences in the ring.

Hamdan has a point to prove. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I went and helped Liam out in camp, which probably hurt Brock a little bit,” Hamdan told this masthead. “But I wasn’t going to miss that opportunity – and if I got asked again, I’d go again.

“I sparred with Liam Paro, and I’m just glad I lasted more than a minute and 12 seconds with Liam, unlike Brock.

“That’s why I’m calling him Glass Jaw Jarvis.

“Brock’s coming back against someone with 10 losses, that’s how his career has been. He’s never been a legitimate champion, he’s always fought for vacant titles against hand-picked opponents.

“I just want to step up and give the Australian public a great fight. I know it’ll be my hardest fight, and I respect him as a fighter, but not as a person.”

Fenech takes Hamdan through a workout in 2023. Picture Glenn Hampson

Hamdan says he always played second fiddle to Jarvis when they were both training under Fenech.

“We used to be the A-team,” he said. “But I was always number two – and I was happy with that, because I was always learning and getting better.

“He’d always get the bread loaf, and I’d get the crumbs, but he’d still be jealous.

“It was weird.”

After Jarvis left Fenech in March 2023, Hamdan became Fenech’s only professional boxer, and the pair won the Australian super-lightweight title in June last year.

In February, Hamdan was hit with a three-year suspension by the Combat Sport Authority of New South Wales after he was charged with common assault for throwing a water bottle at a ringside official at an amateur event in September 2023.

Six months later, when Fenech needed emergency heart surgery to save his life, the 60-year-old told Hamdan he couldn’t keep training him.

In better times: Hamdan (second from left) with Jarvis in 2019. Picture: Supplied

The 26-year-old Hamdan has since linked up with Sam Goodman’s team under Joel Keegan on the Central Coast, but felt blindsided when reading the news of Fenech and Jarvis’ reunion in this masthead this week.

He shared an inflammatory photo off Jarvis being KOed by Paro to his Instagram story on Wednesday night, before telling more of his side of the story.

“I really respect Jeff and what we did – winning the Australian title in only six fights – it was amazing,” Hamdan said. “So I really respect Jeff and thank him for our time together.

“But when his health took a turn, he said, ‘I can’t train anymore, I love you and respect you’.

“I respected that because he told me like a man, straight up. I was there at the hospital with Jeff and Suzee – I’ve done a lot.

“So to then have Jeff come out and say, ‘I’m back with Brock’ it felt like a stab in the back. I found out in the newspaper, so that’s why I’m a bit upset.”

Hamdan shared this photo to his Instagram story on Wednesday. Picture: Supplied/Instagram

Fenech and Jarvis announced their reunion this week. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Hamdan says he’ll fight Jarvis anywhere from welterweight to middleweight, and wants Fenech in Jarvis’ corner.

“I want Jeff in Brock’s corner, because I want the best version of Brock Jarvis so there are no excuses,” he said. “I just want to prove to myself and to show Jeff that he stuffed up.

“If he beats me, I’ll shake his hand, but he won’t be beating me.”

Adding more spice to the Aussie boxing soap opera is the fact that Hamdan and Fenech were both on the same plane from Sydney to Bangkok for a training camp on Thursday morning.

They had a long conversation before they boarded the plane, with the pair “keeping it civil” and shaking hands.

“Jeff’s going to Bangkok with Brock, and I’m going with a sponsor of mine who also looks after Brock – it’s a bit crazy,” Hamdan said.

Speaking to this masthead from the First Class departures lounge on Thursday morning, Fenech said: “I love both boys, I don’t need to say more than that.”

Originally published as Aussie boxing feud erupts as Hass Hamdan calls out Brock Jarvis following Jeff Fenech reunion