Bradman Best has given an update about his father-in-law and Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech as he remains hospitalised due to a heart issue.
Fenech was taken to hospital 10 days ago after he became unwell, experiencing breathing issues and signs of fatigue, as per News Corp reports.
Jeff Fenech has been working with Tim Tszyu. Instagram/@timtszyu
The Australian boxing icon has yet to speak publicly on his health, but nine.com.au has contacted the 62-year-old for comment.
Fenech’s son-in-law and soon-to-be Kangaroos debutant Best says, “he will be right”.
“He’s tough, he’s always a fighter,” Best told reporters in Queensland on Thursday after revealing Fenech was still in hospital.
“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.
“I’m thinking of him.”
Best went on to praise the four-time world champion’s role in his life and career, speaking about his ongoing support and commitment to helping him be better.
“It’s special having a father-in-law like that who’s a four-time world champion,” Best, who will make his Test debut against Fiji on Sunday, continued.
“He’s an icon in Australia, and it’s special having a bond like that with him. He’s been massive for me.”
It is not the first time Fenech has been hospitalised due to heart concerns, having undergone two open-heart surgery procedures over the past seven years.
In 2019, he had an emergency surgery while on holiday in Thailand. In 2024, he had a second surgery where doctors replaced a leaking infected valve in his heart.
His latest heart concern has placed a cloud over his involvement in Tim Tszyu’s upcoming world-title fight, which is expected to take place in late November. Erislandy Lara will be Tszyu’s opponent in that title bout, with Basil Nassis stepping in to run his training while Fenech remains in hospital.
Fenech is hoping to make a speedy recovery. Nine
But Fenech’s goal is to make a recovery and be healthy enough to return to training Tszyu for his fight, according to Main Event commentator Ben Damon.
“Jeff is a passionate and selfless person so is highly focused on getting back to training as soon as possible,” Damon, a close friend of Fenech, told Fox Sports.
“For now he just needs to recover and take whatever path his doctors recommend, even if that means more surgery.”
Damon revealed Fenech is waiting on his latest test results to learn the next steps in his recovery.
“We know how serious things were in 2019 and 2024, but Jeff won those fights emphatically and now, like then, Jeff knows he has the support not only of all of Australia but also the entire boxing world who have been reaching out since this situation became public,” Damon continued.
“We all love Jeff and he knows he has us all in his corner again, like he always has.
“Given his recent health history … he’s in the right place in hospital. We all know about his fighting spirit, so there is little doubt he will be ok.”