TRIPLE world boxing champion Jeff Fenech wants to help Newcastle's Chad Bennett fulfil his potential, but only if the man known as "Hollywood" wants to help himself.
Australia's most successful boxer will be ringside tonight when Bennett fights former International Boxing Organisation world lightweight champion Aldo Rios for the vacant IBO Asia-Pacific junior welterweight belt at the Newcastle Jockey Club "Glasshouse".
Bennett will accompany Fenech and former manager Richard Claut to the US next month for the World's Greatest Ever Boxer promotion in Las Vegas, and to meet with Freddie Roach and other influential figures.
Roach trains seven-time world champion Manny Pacquiao at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, and Bennett hopes to spar with Pacquiao next year in the lead-up to a mooted super fight with Floyd Mayweather.
"I had a good talk to Chad last week, and hopefully after this fight he's going to come overseas with me and we're going to talk to a few people," Fenech told The Herald.
"I know a few people over there matter of fact, I know everybody so we're going to talk to Bob Arum at Top Rank, maybe a few other promoters, because they're all going to be at this World's Greatest function.
"First I'm going to watch Chad fight then we can make some plans. It's time Chad takes that next step, and speaking to him last week, he's really keen on doing that.
"I'm 100 per cent behind him. Anyone in Australian boxing, if they ask me to help them, give them my advice, I will. I'm keen on helping Chad take that next step."
Bennett is 36 but Fenech did not believe age would stop the former World Boxing Foundation welterweight champ progressing.
"If you're talking 15 or 20 years ago, you'd say no. But today with technology, vitamins, training methods, things have changed," he said.
"But again, it's totally up to him. If Chad's prepared to put the work in then the door is open for Chad. If Chad Bennett says he wants to take that step, if he believes in himself, then he can take that next step."
Claut was not convinced Bennett was serious enough about being a professional when they went their separate ways three years ago.
Claut has not started managing Bennett again but is prepared to introduce him to Roach, who he befriended while in camp with Pacquiao in the lead-up to the Filipino's second-round knock-out of Ricky Hatton last May.
"What I have noticed is for the first time, he seems to have realised what it takes. I haven't seen him in this good a condition before," Claut said.
"He's not only saying everything right, he appears to be doing everything right, which is a credit to him."
Gates open at 4pm today, fights begin at 5pm, and the main event should start about 8.30pm.
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