08/05/2026
in 1987, Jeff Fenech won his second world title.
Summary below ๐
The 1987 title fight between Jeff Fenech and Samart Payakaroon saw Fenech claim the WBC Super Bantamweight world title via a dramatic fourth-round knockout in Sydney. Despite suffering the first knockdown of his career from a sharp Samart right hand in the opening round, Fenech recovered quickly to overwhelm the Thai champion with his relentless "Marrickville Mauler" pressure and punishing body shots. Samart, who had struggled significantly with a brutal weight cut and reportedly placed a heavy personal wager on himself, eventually wilted under the physical barrage and was unable to beat the count after being trapped against the ropes. The victory cemented Fenech as a two-division world champion and a national icon, while a devastated Samart famously returned to Thailand to temporarily enter a monastery.
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