Jeff Fenech, known as the ‘Marrickville Mauler’, is a retired Australian boxer and three time World Champion who is now a boxing trainer in Sydney. He represented Australia at the 1984 Olympics, was IBF Bantamweight Champion from 1985 to 1987, WBC Super Bantamweight Champion from 1987 to 1988 and WBC Super Bantamweight Champion from 1988 to 1989.To find out more about this remarkable individual check his wiki entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Fenech.
This picture was taken at his gym in Marrickville. I had just been in the ring with him shooting over the shoulder of his trainer as they were sparring. It was interesting experience to be almost on the receiving end of a serious beating from a World Champion.
At the time of this shoot, he was attempting a comeback and so it made sense to have him boxing himself in the mirror as he had to overcome himself and his own limitations to try and become a genuine contender again. Inside Sport magazine was very happy with my idea and ran the picture as a double page.
In honour of boxers and what they have to do for a living, today I am listening to The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel