Damn that’s a tough one. Both were ruthless pitbull type fighters. Qawi was more skilled in terms of defense and counterpunching while Fenech had better stamina, workrate, and hand speed. Both fell short from beating another ATG after giving them hell the first time but got knocked out in the rematch (Nelson, Holyfield). Fenech: Daniel Zaragoza, Carlos Zarate, Marcos Villasana, Greg Richardson, Samart Payakaroon, Mario Martinez Qawi: Matthew Saad Muhammad (x2), Mike Rossman, Leon Spinks, James Scott, Eddie Davis Might have to pick Jeff Fenech.
I think Fenech has a solid case for greater if you factor in the multiple weight class titles and overall resume. I think Qawi was a better fighter.
Fenech has the more consistent run and his weight jumps gives him the edge in terms of overall career run. I do think Matthew Saad Muhammad is a better single opponent win than any other fighters that Fenech had beaten, including Zarate and Zaragoza. Zarate was already washed up and Zaragoza was very good but wasn’t on the level of Muhammad. Although the years of back to back wars might have taken a toll on Muhammad by the time Qawi got to him.
Qawi is better. Fenech greater. I still think Qawi deserved the W over Holyfield in that first fight. It was super close.
I think we're all in agreement that Qawi was better. And in a P4P matchup, Qawi would grind Fenech down and stop him. But I think for greatness, yeah Fenech edges it by a cunt hair. The better gap is wider than the greater gap.