Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech has been hospitalised due to a heart scare with his son-in-law, NRL gun Bradman Best, speaking publicly about the incident on Thursday.
Best, who has a daughter with Fenech’s daughter Kayla, was asked about Fenech’s support ahead of the Knights star’s Test debut for Australia in the Rugby League World Cup.
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“Jeff has been massive for me, I just want to give a quick shout-out to him,” Best said.
“He’s actually in hospital at the moment. I’m thinking of him. He’s tough, he’s always a fighter.
“Jeff has done a lot for me in my career. I was visiting him last week and he’s always giving me tips on what to do and how to be better.
“It’s special having a father-in-law like that who’s a four-time world champion. He’s an icon in Australia and it’s special having a bond like that with him.”
Asked if Fenech was in a serious condition, Best added: “Yeah, he will be right. He’s always a fighter. He’s been in there with a few heart problems and stuff, but he’ll be good.”
Code Sports reports Fenech was taken to Strathfield Private Hospital 10 days ago after complaining of severe fatigue, breathing issues and feeling unwell.
It comes just months before he helps Tim Tszyu attempt to become a two-division world champion against Erislandy Lara.
Fenech and Tszyu united back in July with the legend becoming the former champion’s head trainer, helping him defeat Errol Spence Jr.
Fenech previously underwent emergency open heart surgery in Thailand in 2019, when he was training Tszyu’s then-opponent Jack Brubaker, and had more open heart surgery in 2024 when a bacterial virus damaged his heart, stomach and wrist.
With Fenech hospitalised and likely to have a limited role in the build-up to Tszyu’s fight with Lara, tipped to be held in late November or December, Tszyu is being trained by Basil Nassis.