Australian Boxer Charlie Kazzi Joins FENECH to Play Redzep Redzepovski

We’re proud to officially welcome Australian boxer Charlie Kazzi to the cast of FENECH – The Jeff Fenech Story, taking on the role of Redzep “Redzo” Redzepovski — one of the toughest, most respected fighters of the era and a key piece of the world-class boxing tapestry that shaped Jeff’s rise.

From day one, our mission with FENECH has been clear: if we’re putting boxing on screen, it has to be real. Not “good enough.” Not “movie boxing.” Real movement, real timing, real pressure — the kind of authenticity that only comes from fighters who have lived it.

That’s why bringing Charlie onto the team is a major win for the film.

Why Charlie Kazzi Is the Right Fighter for This Role

Charlie is the kind of talent you want in front of the camera when the story demands credibility. He understands footwork, distance, rhythm — the invisible language of combat that audiences feel instantly, even if they can’t describe it. That’s what separates a staged sequence from a fight that looks and feels like it belongs in the ring.

The role of Redzep Redzepovski isn’t just about looking the part — it’s about carrying the presence of a hardened professional fighter, someone who can walk into a room and make you believe he’s been through wars. Charlie brings that naturally.

He has the physicality, but more importantly, he has the fighter’s calm: the composure, the readiness, the “don’t waste energy” mindset that real boxers live by.

Who Was Redzep Redzepovski?

In the world Jeff came up in, you didn’t get gifted opportunities — you earned them through damage and discipline. Fighters like Redzep Redzepovski represent that era: relentless, proud, unbreakable. He’s a name tied to the real foundations of the fight scene — the kind of opponent who forces a champion to become a champion.

In FENECH, Redzep is portrayed with respect and weight. He’s not a throwaway “opponent.” He’s part of the authentic story-world that shaped Jeff’s legend — one of the men you had to face on the road to greatness.

Building the Most Authentic Fight Film Australia Has Seen

We’ve said it publicly and we’ll keep saying it: FENECH is being built from the ring outward. That means we’re surrounding our lead cast with real fighters, real training culture, and real fight psychology.

Because audiences can spot fake boxing a mile away.

When you put professional fighters into these roles, everything changes:

• the way hands return to guard
• the way feet reset under pressure
• the way a fighter breathes between exchanges
• the way a body absorbs impact
• the way a person moves when they’re truly dangerous

These details don’t come from rehearsal alone. They come from years of doing it for real.

A Message From Director Matt Norman

“Every time we bring a genuine fighter onto this film, the project levels up. Charlie has the kind of authenticity you simply cannot manufacture. The moment he steps into stance, you believe him. That’s what we’re building here — a film where the boxing doesn’t feel staged, it feels lived. Charlie is a major addition to our fight world, and I’m proud to have him with us.”

Welcome to the Team, Charlie

Charlie Kazzi is now officially part of the FENECH fight team, and we can’t wait to show audiences what happens when you combine cinematic storytelling with the real heartbeat of professional boxing.

This is how you honour Jeff Fenech’s legacy — not with imitation, but with truth.

Welcome aboard, Charlie. Let’s go to war.