EXCLUSIVE: Tyson Pedro denies Jeff Fenech connection sparked controversial Brock Jarvis split

It was labelled "the image that will rock Australian boxing" - former UFC star Tyson Pedro being put through his paces by Hall-of-Famer Jeff Fenech.

Pedro's father uploaded the images and, within no time, media reports linked the ex-MMA star to Fenech's professional break-up with Australian middleweight star Brock Jarvis.

Jarvis will fight on March 12 against former champion Keith Thurman but had a reported disagreement with Fenech leading to their split.

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Within days of that untimely separation, news emerged of Fenech training Pedro for his fight against undefeated Taimoor Khan who is 15-0 with 13 KO's on February 14, which will air on Stan.

The prevailing narrative by some sections of the media was that Fenech snubbed Jarvis for Pedro - but that couldn't be farther from the truth according to the former UFC light heavyweight.

Pedro revealed he has been in regular contact with Fenech for more than a year, with the "Marrickville Mauler" knocking back a chance to work with him several times due to health and family reasons.

"There's been talks about us going and working with him for a while. Then everything fell into place," Pedro told Wide World of Sports.

"I can't speak on their relationship and what's gone on with them. I wish Brock all the best. I've got a big fight coming up, that's all I'm worried about.

"I've been speaking to Jeff for a long time. He was one of the people who lined up this WBC title fight for me before all this happened.

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

"There's always things happening behind the scenes. I don't feel like I need to tell everyone what's going on. I know what I've done and I've done everything the right way."

He added, when asked about media reports pitting him in the middle of the split: "One thing that has been consistent through all of this - is people talking and having opinions.

"I can't worry about what people have to say. Coming over and dealing with the boxing media, I'm sort of the MMA guy."

Pedro spent time in the United States with famed boxing trainer Fareed Samad and also joined forces with former world champion Aussie Danny Green after making the switch to boxing.

While he believes he gained plenty through those experiences, the 33-year-old said he's not afraid to extend himself in order to get better.

"I've always put myself into a position to learn from the best in the world - champions. I went to New Mexico to train with (UFC legend) John Jones to see the best of the best," Pedro said.

"I've travelled an hour every session to train with Alexander Volkonovski and I also travelled to City Kickboxing in New Zealand to train with Israel Adesanya.

"There's something about being a champion and you want to see what juice they've got. Being with Jeff I feel that as well. World champions have something different in them."

Pedro is no stranger to the boxing game having compiled a 5-0 record as an amateur but he's acutely aware that his professional career could be over before it begins.

Most fighters who begin their pro careers dip their toe in the water with an opponent they know they can handle.

Yet Pedro has gone in the opposite direction, taking on an undefeated fighter who has 13 knockouts to his name after his initial attempt to make a boxing debut against Kris Terzievski collapsed in sensational circumstances.

"I'm a sink or swim kind of guy - all in and all out. It would disrespectful to boxing if I came in fought low level guys," Pedro said.

"Not only that, I believe I can do it."