Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech has urged Nikita Tszyu to spend some time in the United States following Wednesday night’s explosive stoppage win in Sydney, declaring: “There are things his team needs to fix … but they just don’t f***ing know”.
The warning comes as Fenech also says The Butcher is fighting at only a third of his potential, and is agreeable to having his own charge, Brock Jarvis, sign on for an October headliner between the pair.
Yet despite the Hall of Famer’s ongoing criticism of a crew that also corners for Tim Tszyu, Fenech insists the two groups can get together, along with promoters No Limit, to make an all-Australian headliner for later this year.
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Tszyu’s longtime manager Glen Jennings also told Fox Sports Australia this week that he has no problem dealing with Fenech if a fight needs to be made.
However, with a smile, the Fight Life Management boss added: “If people want to say our corner isn’t up to speed, that’s OK … just make sure yours is.”
Jennings also joked about his team all wearing red noses to the ring for any potential bout between Nikita Tszyu and Brock Jarvis, given Fenech has suggested the group of “clowns” do exactly that.
Almost 18 months after first giving the Tszyu camp a serve – specifically, after Tim lost his bloody world title war against Sebastian Fundora — Fenech now looms as the next coach charged with ending The Butcher’s unbeaten reign.
It comes after the younger Tszyu sibling needed only three minutes to drop and then break the ribs of European prospect Lulzim Ismaili on Wednesday night, with The Butcher’s first outmatched rival retiring on his stool after only a round.
While Australian boxing bad boy Michael Zerafa remains clubhouse leader to face Nikita next, there is also a chance promoters No Limit could switch focus and go after Jarvis – whose only two career losses are against former world champions Keith Thurman and Liam Paro.
Ismaili quits after Tszyu demolition | 01:23
On Wednesday night’s undercard, the Sydneysider needed just four rounds to stop previously unbeaten Sam Beck, and with Fenech again working his corner as head coach.
Despite stepping aside for the March bout against Thurman, the ‘Marrickville Mauler’ is now back and convinced — with the right preparation — Jarvis can beat any of the nation’s best at either super welterweight or middleweight.
While Fenech would prefer his charge to have one more fight before a Tszyu showdown, and mentioned Koen Mazoudier specifically, he also has no problem if the Rose brothers want it for October or November.
Should that happen, it would continue an incredible storyline between Team Tszyu and one of Australia’s greatest fighters, who has now publicly questioned their handling of three of Tim’s world title losses – against Fundora twice and Bakhram Murtazaliev once.
Jarvis scores KO in comeback bout | 02:39
While Fenech has hardly been the sole voice critical of Team Tszyu over the past year, his takes have drawn the biggest headlines thanks to his heavyweight profile.
Asked about a Tszyu-Jarvis bout, Fenech replied: “Absolutely that fight should happen, but I’m not going to talk s*** (about the fighter) to make it.
“Because what Nikita Tszyu did on Wednesday night – outstanding.
“The kid is a massive puncher.
“But he’s also not doing other things properly.
“I’m not going to talk about everything I saw because Nikita knocked the guy out.
“But he could already be at least three times better than what he is.
“I was watching even that first round thinking ‘wow, imagine if someone showed him how to do this, showed him how to do that’.
“We’ve also seen in other fights where he gets dropped, makes mistakes … and somebody needs to fix that.
“But it’s never been addressed.
“And that’s because his team don’t f***ing know.”
Trainer Jeff Fenech watches Brock Jarvis and Sam Beck during the middleweight catchweight bout at ICC Sydney Theatre on August 20, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Pushed on the crew that looks after both Tszyu brothers, Fenech continued: “You really think the Tszyu corner had anything to do with Nikita winning on Wednesday night?
“That was all the fighter.
“He’s strong, stopped the guy.
“And sure, it was great that he could then go back and jump up around with his team because they were all there.
“But look at poor ‘ol Tim.
“The mistakes they’ve made with him are crazy.
“Like letting him say publicly after that most recent loss that he didn’t want to fight, instead of them saying he was injured and couldn’t fight on.
“That’s horrendous.
“People think Tim surrendered (in the second Fundora fight) which is bulls****.
“But in a situation like that, it’s your job to take care of the fighter.
“Same as when he’s got a f***ing hole in his head, four rounds into a world title fight.
“If they call that fight there, Tim Tszyu is still world champion right now.
“Imagine how much more money he could have?
“He’s lost millions due to these clowns.”
Despite disagreeing with the criticism, Jennings said he also has no problem sorting through a Jarvis fight with Fenech.
Jarvis v Beck – Full Fight Highlights | 03:54
“Look, I’ve known Jeff Fenech for a very long time,” the manager said.
“He’s an opinionated guy.
“And I’ve got no problem with that.
“Same as I don’t care if Jeff has problems with how our team works, or has issues with who our team members are.
“I know they’re all quality people, and I back them.
“But again, Jeff is entitled to an opinion.
“Everyone is.
“I see Jeff, say hello … there is never any problem.”
So no dramas with any of it?
“Look, sometimes it does rub me the wrong way,” Jennings continued. “But only because as Nikita said in the ring Wednesday night, we’re family.
“Again though, people are entitled to opinions.
“So if you’re going to say our corner isn’t up to speed, that’s OK … just make sure yours is.”
Zerafa vs Dahlman: Full Fight Highlights | 04:41
Elsewhere, Fenech also agreed his opinions would have no impact on talks involving Jarvis, who he insists can upset The Butcher after having moved up five weight classes.
“They’re only going to want that fight more,” he grinned. “Because it’s then a chance to prove me wrong.
“But everything I’m saying, it has nothing to do with Brock Jarvis.
“It’s me being real.
“Because Nikita and Tim, they have both got the genes, brother.
“They just need somebody to take them to that next level.
“And you can write this, I believe they need a guy who has been there and been punched in the f***ing face.
“There are so many guys in the United States who would help them.
“Somebody like Antonio Tarver, that’s just one example. There is a heap of them.
“And who wouldn’t want to spend time with Tim Tszyu?
“I think what they really need to do is head to America and train at several gyms.
“Then as soon as you walk out of that one gym having really learned, when you’re wanting to go back the very next day, then you know you’ve found the right place.”
Elsewhere, Jennings also said the criticism of Team Tszyu had not fazed head coach, Igor Goloubev.
“Igor is unflappable,” Jennings stressed.
“And working in this sport for any period of time, you tend to develop a thick skin.
“So it becomes a case of ‘OK, fire away, do your best’ … and then you keep moving.
“A few of us have joked that if the fight (with Jarvis) does come off, maybe we wear red noses to the ring.
“Jeff said we’re all a bunch of clowns, so let’s have some fun with it.
“And in a country all about free speech, you are allowed to say what you think.
“Some people support what Jeff says, others have been critical of it.
“That’s the tribal nature of boxing.”