Australian Boxing Legend Johnny Famechon has died
The WBC paid tribute to their great champion, Johnny Famechon (56-5-6, 20KO), after he sadly passed away this week. He died at the age of 77 in Melbourne after a lengthy illness. Famechon was struck by a car while jogging in 1991 in Sydney which caused him to suffer a stroke and resulted in an acquired brain injury.
Born Jean-Pierre Famechon in France on March 28, 1945, he moved to Victoria, Melbourne in Australia when he was just five. Over his 20-year career Famechon developed a reputation for being a skilled boxer whose strength was his defence. His career record was 56 wins (20 by KO), 6 draws and 5 losses.
Famechon was the 2003 Inductee for the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame Moderns category and was the third ever boxer to be elevated to Legend status in 2012. He was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles in 1997.
The WBC paid tribute to their champion: "The World Boxing Council is in mourning, following the announcement of the passing of Australian Boxing Great Johnny Famechon, who was the former WBC and Lineal featherweight champion.
"Slim, handsome and an elusive boxing marvel, Johnny Famechon epitomized The Noble Art, so much so that it should have won him a Nobel Prize. Once described: “As hard to hit as mist, he was a defensive genius. And…but he could also punch with power, authority and pinpoint precision. Johnny embodies Aussie fighting spirit.
"Born on March 28th 1945 and christened Jean Pierre, the youngster emigrated to Australia at the age of five with his family, and in boxing terms he became: “Melbourne`s Artful Dodger.” Johnny who never fought as an amateur, was trained from beginning to end by Ambrose Palmer. In his dazzling sixty-seven fights career, he notched fifty- six wins including twenty KO`s, six draws and five defeats.
"Johnny became Commonwealth Featherweight Champion and then went on to defeat Cuban Jose Legra at the Albert Hall in London by UD to become WBC and Lineal champion. He then defended his title with a points win over the formidable Mashiko “Fighting Harada.” It was a close fight, so Johnny fought Harada again, underling his greatness by knocking out the Japanese sensation. He lost his title in Rome by UD to the legendry Vicente Saldivar and retired shortly after aged twenty-five.
"Johnny almost died in 1991 after being struck by a car in Sydney, spending three weeks in a coma, suffering a stroke and was partially paralyzed down his left side. He spent months in hospitals in Sydney and Melbourne. Ragner Purje worked with him to regain some of his mobility, and like the champion he was and forever will be, Johnny worked so hard and then even harder, to regain majority mobility, overcoming his hardest ever challenge.
"Johnny won numerous awards for his fantastic contribution to Australian and world boxing. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985, the World Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles in 1997 and appointed Member of Order of Australia in this year`s Birthday Honors of Queen Elizabeth. A 2.5 meters bronze statue to Johnny stands in Ballam Park, Frankston, Victoria. Frank Quill wrote Johnny`s autobiography.
"A great man in the ring and an even greater man in everyday life, Johnny was adored by Australians, the World Boxing Council and the entire world. He was supported in his most difficult battle by his second Wife Glenys who was always by his side. Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech summed it up, so aptly and emotionally saying: “As a human being Johnny Famechon was second to none!”
"This such a very sad time, as Johnny has gone aged seventy-seven. He leaves a daughter Danielle and a son Paul, from his first marriage to Elsie.
"Now, we have the fabulous memories to treasure. They remain! The World Boxing Council Family its President Mauricio Sulaiman and the entire World of Boxing send our deepest condolences to Johnny's family, so many friends and legion of fans.
"There will NEVER be another like him."
