Tim Tszyu Coach Jeff Fenech Undergoes Third Open Heart Surgery as Lara Bout Nears
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Sydney, Australia (November 2nd, 2026)– Hall of Fame former Bantamweight, Super bantamweight, Featherweight and Super Featherweight champion Jeff Fenech is recovering from his third open heart surgery in Sydney, Australia, which he describes as ‘The toughest fight of my life.”
Fenech has been training Tim Tszyu for his upcoming world title bout against World Boxing Association Middleweight champion Erislandy Lara. The Premier Boxing Champions Lara versus Tszyu WBA middleweight title fight is scheduled for late November or December 2026, though an exact official date and venue have not yet been finalized by No Limit Boxing. If Fenech recovers, he should be able to return to Team Tszyu shortly.
Fenech, 29-3-1 with 21 knockouts, Marrickville, South Wales, Australia, fought professionally between 1984 and 2008. Cuban southpaw Lara, 29-3-3 with 19 knockouts, Houston, Texas, age 43, has been inactive since defending his WBA title against Johan Gonzalez in San Antonio by 12 rounds unanimous decision in December 2025. Former WBO World Super Welterweight champion Tszyu, 28-3 with 18 knockouts, Rockdale, Australia, now campaigning as a middleweight, is coming off a 12 rounds unanimous decision points win over former World Welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. at Sydney Olympic Park in July 2026.
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