Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech facing heart surgery in Thailand

A case of pneumonia could see the boxing champion undergo heart surgery abroad.

Former world champion boxer Jeff Fenech will reportedly need surgery if antibiotics fail to fix an infected valve leading to his heart. Source: AAP

Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech reportedly faces the prospect of surgery as he is treated for pneumonia in a Bangkok hospital.

The 55-year-old will need surgery if antibiotics don't fix an infected valve leading to his heart, News Corp reported on Sunday.

Former world champion boxer Jeff Fenech has been in Thailand as part of a training camp. Source: AAP

Fenech, now a boxing trainer, was in Thailand for a training camp when he fell ill.

"I've got some pretty bad news, I've got an infected valve that's connected to my heart," an emotional Fenech said in a video by Boxing Epicentre.

"Which means over the next few days they'll try to get rid of the infection and then I'll have to have surgery."

His wife Suzee has reportedly flown to Thailand to be with her husband.