“He’d be a world champion still today,” said Fenech to Boxingscene.
“You’ve got to know the foundations before a fight. Those people didn’t even know they may stop the fight. I really like Tim. I spoke to him after, and he was blissful that he was heroic. Getting through the cut itself was heroic.
“But Tim’s been through that now. He knows what we’ve got to do. He’s got someone he can trust within the corner now.”
Tszyu’s profession spun within the flawed direction after the bloody 12-round split-decision loss to Fundora in March 2024. He later suffered a third-round knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev after which dropped a rematch against Fundora before deciding to rebuild his team around Fenech ahead of his July 26 fight against Errol Spence Jr.
The Australian star admitted he drifted too removed from the pressure style that helped make him one in all the game’s most dangerous offensive fighters.
“Stylistically, I used to be getting caught up within the Cuban style, a rhythmic style,” Tszyu said. “This fight, I wanted a change in my approach. As much as I attempted to do things different, I feel my style lends itself best to pressure, with punches, attempting to drown my opponent.
“Who best to learn from than Jeff Fenech?”
Fenech made it clear Tszyu is returning to an aggressive style after consecutive losses damaged his standing at 154 kilos.
“What you’re saying is 1 million percent right: Tim Tszyu goes to be there, but he’s going to be in the appropriate position,” Fenech said.
“So, after he throws a mixture, we’ll throw one other one. We’re not going to offer him the chance to hit us.”
Tszyu sounded equally direct about his mindset for the Spence fight.
“Yeah, that’s what’s going through my head: Take him out,” Tszyu said. “This one’s a unique approach, you realize? We’re coming for war.”