When it comes to grabbing attention and selling out arenas, heavyweight boxers are always at the forefront. Even if you have a prodigy like Sugar Ray Robinson in action, his brilliance might be overlooked if, just nearby, a heavyweight knockout artist is on the marquee. This reality isn’t exactly fair, but it’s how the boxing world spins. So, how do we make sense of what went down in Las Vegas on June 28, 1991?
On one side, we had Mike Tyson facing off against Donovan “Razor” Ruddock—a clash of titans with both fighters known for their bone-crushing power. This bout was particularly interesting because their previous encounter had ended controversially when the referee stopped the fight too soon. But the real gem of that undercard was a showdown that’s often hailed as one of the best matchups in the sport’s recent memory, irrespective of weight class.
Azumah Nelson, in the years leading up to that night, had snagged two world titles and cemented his place in boxing’s Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, Jeff Fenech of Australia was an undefeated three-time world champion, eyeing a fourth crown. Their initial face-off was historical not just because of the caliber of the fighters but what was at stake. However, Tyson’s headlining spectacle overshadowed this significant bout, drawing the public and media’s gaze away.
It’s perhaps for the better that the masses didn’t hone in on the Nelson vs. Fenech undercard, for more publicity might have meant more negative attention. Often, boxing finds a way to taint a promising event. The Nelson vs. Fenech clash ended in a manner all too familiar—a thrilling showdown marred by questionable officiating.
Fenech, a star in his homeland, stood on the brink of making history by becoming only the fourth boxer to clinch four world titles across different weight divisions—an undefeated path no less. Yet, after twelve intense rounds, the judges’ verdict was a draw, despite Fenech clearly dominating at least seven rounds. The controversy overshadowed Fenech’s spirited performance, and as Tyson battled Ruddock, the captivating Nelson vs. Fenech encounter faded from most minds.
Everyone’s, except Fenech’s, that is. According to the “Marrickville Mauler,” the draw left a lasting impact. Soon after, despite his fame, the fighter returned to the ring, but he believed something within him had shifted irrevocably.
“I can’t pinpoint exactly what it did to me,” he confided to Daniel Attias in 2015. “I was never the same after. The fighter I was in Vegas against Azumah Nelson? That guy never came back.”
Yet, the rematch between Nelson and Fenech highlights not the fall of one boxing great but the rise of another. Nelson, who allegedly fought the first bout while recovering from malaria, showed the world his top form in their second meeting.
On fight night, around forty thousand Australians braved pouring rain in Melbourne to witness a hoped-for redemption. But from the get-go, Nelson was a transformed fighter, no longer passive. Nicknamed “The Professor,” the Ghanaian was there to deliver a masterclass, landing powerful shots right from the start. A knockout in the first round was just the beginning of the end for Fenech.
In their initial Vegas meeting, Fenech’s aggressiveness had surprised many, allowing him to control much of the fight. But on his home turf, faced with a revitalized Nelson, Fenech seemed more tentative, struggling to replicate his past aggressive form. Even as heavy blows landed from both sides in the following rounds, Nelson’s power was a constant threat, and the match was still up for grabs until it wasn’t.
In the eighth round, trapped in his own corner, Fenech succumbed to a series of devastating punches from Nelson. The crowd watched, stunned and silent, as Nelson sealed his victory, leaving Fenech’s fans disheartened.
In defeat, Fenech had fought valiantly, but perhaps wrongly banked on facing the same Nelson from their last encounter. Instead, a reinvigorated Nelson reminded everyone why he was a formidable champion. For Azumah Nelson was not only a Hall of Famer but arguably the best boxer Africa has ever produced. — Michael Carbert
