Australian boxer Brock Jarvis has sensationally jetted out to Las Vegas — and a shock new life at middleweight — after splitting “on good terms” with his trainer Jeff Fenech.
Fox Sports Australia can reveal Jarvis, 25, and Fenech have agreed to part ways after building one of the nation’s most hyped fight partnerships.
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The Sydney fighter confirmed his five-year relationship with Fenech’s daughter Kayla is also over, however stressed there was “no bad blood” with either the Hall of Famer or his family.
“Everything is fine,” Jarvis revealed on Monday night, shortly before flying out for the world’s fight capital.
“Jeff and I have parted ways, but we’ve got no problems.
“We just don’t see eye-to-eye on the weight I want to fight at.
“Otherwise though, we’re still on good terms.
“I’m just doing my own thing.
“I’m going to head overseas and try something different. Get to America and see how things are over there.”
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Ranked among Australia’s most promising fight prospects, Jarvis was only two years ago being hailed a genuine world title contender at super featherweight.
Then in October last year, he moved up for an all-Australian super lightweight showdown against Liam Paro – only to be knocked out in the first round.
Yet now Jarvis has revealed, in a surprise twist to his already promising career, he will fight at either super welterweight or middleweight – the latter of which represents a rise of three weight divisions or nine kilos.
Apart from causing surprise within the Australian fight game, the proposed move up has also resulted in his fallout with Fenech.
“And this has been the hardest decision of my life,” Fenech said of their parting. “I’ve been with Brock since he was 16 so it’s been really difficult.
“Not only because he went out with my daughter, he really was like my son.
“So this has been s***, I’ve had sleepless nights.
“And I know it will be hurting him too because of what we’ve been through.
“But what can I do? I can’t do something that I don’t believe is right.
“Brock’s a good kid who works really hard but I’m a realist and told him what I believe – that I think he’s moving up too much in weight.
“But he’s told me what he believes and if you aren’t on the same page, (staying together) is the worst thing you can do.”
Fenech later added: “He’s a young man now and has to make his own decisions.
“And I really do wish him the best of luck. I know the kid can fight.
“If he ever needs me I will always be there. But I can’t be part of a team that’s doing something (I don’t believe is right).”
While Jarvis has yet to lock down a new trainer, the boxer will spend the next six weeks in Las Vegas as part of what he hopes will be an exciting new beginning.
The fighter also remains unsure if his first appearance at the heavier divisions will be at middleweight or super welterweight, where fellow Aussie Tim Tszyu also competes.
“But I’m really excited,” Jarvis said.
“I’m just flying over to the US by myself.
“Keeping things really low key.
“I’ve booked somewhere to stay, have a couple of gyms to try and have a return ticket sorted for six weeks time.
“So we’ll see how it all goes.
“I’ll do some sparring and take it from there.”
Asked about his split from Fenech, Jarvis revealed the pair had parted over his wanting to move up as high as middleweight.
The fighter also confirmed he and Kayla Fenech had also ended their own relationship several months ago.
“We’re not together any more, no,” Jarvis said.
“But everything is fine.
“No bad blood.
“I’m just doing my own thing.”
Despite initially starting his career as a fresh-faced super flyweight, Jarvis is convinced he can now become a world title contender up to nine divisions higher.
“This is a decision I’ve made on my own,” he said of the move.
“Right throughout my career, I’ve always cut a lot of weight.
“Been battling the scales for years now.
“And I actually feel like I’ve been going too light and that’s affecting my performance.
“So I want to try something different.
“And middleweight, junior middleweight, I feel I can campaign there for some time.
“Just stay there and be healthy.
“And I know it’s a big jump.
“But I really want to see how it goes.
“And maybe it works. Maybe not.
“I don’t know.
“But I want to try something different.”
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While Jarvis has put no time frame on his move up in weight, the fighter suggested he could be ready to debut in his new weight class as soon as the middle of this year.
“I think this is something I can do fairly quickly,” he said.
“So I want to get over to the US, find my feet and see how I go sparring some (bigger) guys over there.”
Only last month, Jarvis was branded “special” by Fenech after reviving his career in stunning fashion – and by breaking the jaw of tough Filipino rival Marlon Paniamogan.
Five months after being kayoed Paro, Jarvis was forced to fight back in every sense – having been rocked, and almost dropped, in the second round of his No Limit headliner against Paniamogan.
The Aussie then rallied however to not only win via devastating fourth round stoppage, but with the jaw of his rival broken.
“He got hit but that’s boxing,” Fenech had said afterwards.
“It’s two guys who want to punch each other in the head.
“But when you can turn a fight around like Brock did, it’s really special.”
Asked about the second round, Jarvis said: “He caught me with a good shot and went for it.
“He’s a tough opponent.
“I knew he had power and that I had to be careful.
“But he caught me.
“Still, it’s just great to be back in the ring.
“It feels good.
“We worked on a few changes and I just want to go again as soon as I can”.