Jeff Fenech is awarded another world title 31 YEARS after controversial draw against Azumah Nelson

Jeff Fenech could not hide his delight after one of boxing’s great injustices was set right on Tuesday in Mexico. 

Three-time world champion Fenech has been retroactively awarded a fourth title after the WBC overturned his controversial draw with Azumah Nelson in 1991.

Fenech was awarded the belt by boxing legends Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez and Miguel Cotto at the WBC convention in Acapulco, Mexico, 31 years after the judges deemed his contest against Nelson a draw.

Jeff Fenech has been awarded his fourth world title 31 years on from his controversial draw

The Australian dominated his rival during their first fight in Las Vegas, however one judge scored the bout a draw while the other two were split, meaning Fenech missed out on the WBC super-featherweight title.

While the WBC rules and regulations outline that it cannot affect the ‘final determination of the local boxing commission regarding the decision in the contest’, in this case the Nevada State Athletic Commission, it does have the power ‘to recognise any boxer as a WBC champion’. 

It means that the draw cannot be officially overturned but the WBC has the ability to determine Fenech as the super-featherweight champion.  

‘I can’t put it into words. I couldn’t speak when it happened,’ Fenech told the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday.

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‘It feels even greater tonight because of the three legends who presented my belt to me. I won, I’ve known that for 30 years. It’s a long time coming.’

Fenech’s 1991 clash with Azumah Nelson controversially ended in a draw in Las Vegas

The Australian was devastated by the outcome but the WBC has overturned the decision

Reflecting on the draw, Fenech said: ‘It happened for a reason and made me a better person. I was a three-time world champion and didn’t like the person who I was. 

‘If I was a four-time world champion and undefeated, I would have been [a lesser man]. 

‘When you have that sort of success, you get a big head and I had that. I wasn’t the same, I was different. Fame and fortune changes you.’ 

Fenech admitted that he never expected this outcome, and was delighted by the surprise decision over three decades after the Las Vegas showdown. 

‘I never thought this would happen,’ he added. ‘Everything happens for a reason. This makes boxing a better sport.

‘We have technology and if there’s a fight where I won 10 rounds out of 12 – then I won the fight.’