EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Fenech takes reins of 'very special' Aussie heavyweight

Jeff Fenech admits he was initially sceptical.

The four-time boxing world champion had politely rebuffed some previous approaches from the Tyson Pedro camp - but now Fenech wishes he hadn't.

"I had a call a few times asking would I help him but I'd been going through some stuff with my health and family," Fenech told Wide World of Sports on Wednesday.

Watch Tyson Pedro's highly anticipated boxing debut at Nowhere to Run, ad-free live and on demand for all Stan Sport subscribers from 7pm AEDT on February 26, with the main event and highlights also available on delay on 9Go! from 9.30pm AEDT

"To be honest, I was really, really surprised because I spoke to a couple of people, told them that he was coming and they said: 'oh, he can't box for this or that.'

"Well, he came down to my house and wow. What he showed me was special.

"He could develop into something very, very special."

Fenech has signed on as Pedro's trainer for his professional boxing debut on February 26 against undefeated Pakistani heavyweight Taimoor Khan.

READ MORE: Matildas star becomes first player to comment on Sam Kerr saga

READ MORE: Gould's audacious plan to sign top American talent

READ MORE: Michael Schumacher's wife to appeal ruling against blackmail ring

Pedro was previously working with Fareed Samad, while Fenech has recently split from long-time protege Brock Jarvis.

Pedro, the former UFC star, has had two false starts since making the switch from the mixed martial arts cage to a boxing ring.

His fight with Kris Terzievski was initially postponed due to a fractured elbow, before Terzievski bailed on the rematch because of a pay dispute.

Pedro, 33, is cranky and highly motivated ahead of the 'Nowhere to Run' fight night at Penrith's Panthers club.

"He's got a book with him and he's writing everything down that I tell him - which I used to do with Johnny Lewis," Fenech said.

"I was impressed and proud. His response to me giving him advice - and learning so quickly - were really impressive for me as well."

Pedro had a 10-5 record in his MMA career that ended in Las Vegas last year.

"He's one of the easiest people I've ever had to train, because of his professionalism," Fenech said.

"He never questioned me once about what I was trying to make him do because when I made him do it, it just felt so good, his power tripled - and I mean that. To triple in power in 10, 15 minutes was really crazy.

"Anybody can punch a bag or a pad mate but it's the hardest thing in the world to hit somebody in the head - because of that look in their eyes, looking at you.

"Tyson's dedication and application is f---ing crazy. It excited me a lot because I have been disillusioned by some things in our sport.

"When you know you're helping somebody, that's what life's about.

"For me, this isn't a money game. I feel that I'm giving something back and I got that connection with Tyson straight away."

So how far can Pedro go in the sport?

Khan - dubbed 'Diamond Boy' - is 15-0 with 13 knockouts and the WBC international bridgerweight title is on the line.

The Marrickville Mauler is bullish.

"I'm so confident this guy's going to wipe through these guys," Fenech said.

"He's going to reach the top as quick as maybe anybody in the sport."