Fenech writes off Briggs for Green clash
Paul Briggs needs a miracle to beat Danny Green when the IBO cruiserweight world champion puts his title on the line at Challenge Stadium next week, according to former Green trainer Jeff Fenech.
Three-times world champion Fenech fell out with Green in 2005 and has joined forces with Billy Hussein to help prepare Briggs for Wednesday's fight.
However, Fenech has all but written Briggs off and has doubts the Queenslander will even be competitive in his first fight in more than three years against a man who recently knocked out Roy Jones Jr and Manny Siaca.
Green is a $1.08 favourite with Player, compared with Briggs at $6.10.
"It's a really big ask for somebody who's had a three-year lay-off to take on someone who's been active and been fighting," Fenech said.
"It's a big, big call and for Paul to take it shows a lot of balls, but it doesn't show a lot of common sense to me, you know.
"At this stage of Paul's career, he needs all the help he can get. Danny's bigger, stronger and he's been active."
Last week the NSW Combat Sports Authority refused to sanction the Green-Briggs fight, which forced its relocation to Perth after WA authorities gave organisers the all clear.
CSA chairman Terry Hartmann later admitted the Sydney-based authority's decision was based on a rumour relating to Briggs' health.
Fenech said the decision would not have been made if the fight was likely to be competitive.
Asked what a win over Green could do for Briggs' career, Fenech said it was "a big if".
"It's a little word with two letters but it means a lot and it's going to be very, very difficult for Paul," Fenech said. "The boxing authority don't cancel a fight if they think it's going to be a competition."
Despite praising Green's recent form, Fenech rejected claims the WA boxer was performing at a greater level than he was under Fenech's guidance more than five years ago.
"For them to say that he's better now than he's ever been, that's all crap," Fenech said.
"He fights exactly the way that Jeff Fenech taught him to fight. That's what Angelo Hyder is doing with him and they can say what they want but I know that, you know."
