Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech has undergone heart surgery in a Bangkok hospital as he continues to battle pneumonia.The 55-year-old had the operation on Tuesday night after antibiotics failed to fix an infected valve leading to his heart, his daughter Kayla told Nine Network.Fenech, also known as the 'Marrickville Mauler', is one of Australia's most high-profile fighters.He represented Australia at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the United States as boxing captain - the same year he started in the sport. Fenech, now a trainer, was in Thailand for a training camp when he fell ill. The champion boxer started to cough up blood and fell into a shaking fit before he was admitted to hospital on Friday.Doctors performed a five-hour operation and drained fluid from the boxing legend's lungs and replaced his heart valve.His children Kayla, Jessica and Beau made it to his bedside just before the boxing legend went into the surgery room - his wife Suzee is also reportedly in Thailand. "It all went fine,' Kayla said. Share this article Share 'He's woken up and he's gone back to sleep.'Fenech remains sedated while doctors continue to monitor the patient. His recovery is expected to take a few more days.Kayla said Fenech will now miss his other daughter Jess' wedding, which is less than two weeks away. 'We landed and literally rushed to the hospital and got there, thank God, he was feeling okay, I guess he was scared. It was good to speak to him and give him a hug before he went in,' Kayla said.'We've never seen him like this before so it's hard for all of us and especially he's definitely not attending my sister's wedding, it's a really hard time.'Who is Jeff Fenech? Fenech, also known as the 'Marrickville Mauler', is one of Australia's most high-profile fighters.He represented Australia at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the United States as boxing captain - the same year he started in the sport.Despite disappointment at the Olympics, Fenech quickly cemented his status as a professional boxer.However by 1987 he started to feel pain in his hands - and wanted to leave the sport.Fenech was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2002.Fenech trained Mike Tyson when the world heavyweight champion decided to come out of retirement. Although her father won't be able to walk her down the aisle, Jessica made it clear in a Twitter post that his health came first.'Love you so much dad, we are all praying for you and thinking of you every single second that goes by and will be right by your side as soon as you open your eyes! You are so strong ! You are a fighter! Love you to death,' the tweet read. Photographs a loving Fenech smiling with his children and wife.In one image, Fenech is seen grinning at the camera with all three of his children. He is understood to not have been aware of the severity of his heart problem and had ignored discomfort for several days before falling ill.He finally gave in when his boxing colleagues grew increasing
Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech has undergone heart surgery in a Bangkok hospital as he continues to battle pneumonia.The 55-year-old had the operation on Tuesday night after antibiotics failed to fix an infected valve leading to his heart, his daughter Kayla told Nine Network.Fenech, also known as the 'Marrickville Mauler', is one of Australia's most high-profile fighters.He represented Australia at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the United States as boxing captain - the same year he started in the sport. Fenech, now a trainer, was in Thailand for a training camp when he fell ill. The champion boxer started to cough up blood and fell into a shaking fit before he was admitted to hospital on Friday.Doctors performed a five-hour operation and drained fluid from the boxing legend's lungs and replaced his heart valve.His children Kayla, Jessica and Beau made it to his bedside just before the boxing legend went into the surgery room - his wife Suzee is also reportedly in Thailand. "It all went fine,' Kayla said. Share this article Share 'He's woken up and he's gone back to sleep.'Fenech remains sedated while doctors continue to monitor the patient. His recovery is expected to take a few more days.Kayla said Fenech will now miss his other daughter Jess' wedding, which is less than two weeks away. 'We landed and literally rushed to the hospital and got there, thank God, he was feeling okay, I guess he was scared. It was good to speak to him and give him a hug before he went in,' Kayla said.'We've never seen him like this before so it's hard for all of us and especially he's definitely not attending my sister's wedding, it's a really hard time.'Who is Jeff Fenech? Fenech, also known as the 'Marrickville Mauler', is one of Australia's most high-profile fighters.He represented Australia at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the United States as boxing captain - the same year he started in the sport.Despite disappointment at the Olympics, Fenech quickly cemented his status as a professional boxer.However by 1987 he started to feel pain in his hands - and wanted to leave the sport.Fenech was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2002.Fenech trained Mike Tyson when the world heavyweight champion decided to come out of retirement. Although her father won't be able to walk her down the aisle, Jessica made it clear in a Twitter post that his health came first.'Love you so much dad, we are all praying for you and thinking of you every single second that goes by and will be right by your side as soon as you open your eyes! You are so strong ! You are a fighter! Love you to death,' the tweet read. Photographs a loving Fenech smiling with his children and wife.In one image, Fenech is seen grinning at the camera with all three of his children. He is understood to not have been aware of the severity of his heart problem and had ignored discomfort for several days before falling ill.He finally gave in when his boxing colleagues grew increasing
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