Remembering Johnny Famechon

The passing of Johnny Famechon earlier this month at the age of 77 has left a hole in the heart of many Australian boxing fans.

Famechon was universally adored by the public during his boxing prime and that adulation only grew after a tragic accident later in life left him in a coma for 10 days.

“He lived a great life,’’ former three-time world champion Jeff Fenech told Ben Fordham on 2BG. “He never failed to send me a Christmas card and every time I saw him we would laugh and joke. He was such a beautiful man. On top of his legendary boxing record, as a human he was second to none.

“He was the perfect boxing chess match player. He would hit, but he never got hit. After his accident, everything was about living life to the full.’’

The French-born ‘Fammo’ moved down under at the age of five and, in his teenage years, took up the gloves to become another member of the famous Fighting Famechon clan. His father Andre and uncle Emile both boxed in the 1940s, the former at lightweight and welterweight, the latter at flyweight and bantamweight. Both boxers had connections to Australia. Andre fought his last 15 bouts here. Emile boxed here six times in 1949.

Unsurprisingly, Fammo was naturally drawn to the sport. The sky blue trunks he wore throughout his career belonged to his father.

Fammo took up the gloves under the guidance of renowned trainer Ambrose Palmer. The former Australian middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight champion didn’t believe in training amateurs so Fammo moved straight into the pro. He had his first bout fight in 1961 at the age of 16.

Fammo won his first title when he defeated Les Dunn by 10th round stoppage in their 15-round fight to become the Victorian featherweight champion in 1964. He claimed the Commonwealth featherweight champion with an 11th round TKO over John O’Brien in their 15 rounder three years later.

On 21 January 1969 he scored his breakthrough win when he outpointed classy Cuban Jose Legra over 15 rounds at the Albert Hall in London, England, to become the lineal and WBC featherweight champion of the world. The experienced Legra, who had over 100 bouts to his name, struggled with Fammo’s movement, slick defense, and educated left hand. With the win, Fammo became just the third world champion from Australia, joining bantamweights Jimmy Carruthers and Lionel Rose.

Fammo returned to Australia to a hero’s welcome and received the Keys to the City in Melbourne.

On 28 July 1969 Fammo made the first defence of his world title in Sydney against International Boxing Hall of Famer Fighting Harada of Japan. Fammo won the bout on points, but it was considered a controversial decision, so a rematch was made in the Land of the Rising Sun six months later. This time Fammo left no doubt. He knocked out Harada in the 14th round.

Fammo had one more fight left in him. He travelled to Rome, Italy to face hard-nosed Mexican Vincente Saldivar on 9 May 1970. This time he was on the wrong end of a close points decision and made the decision to retire shortly after, saying “I had had so many fights, enough was enough.’’ His record was 56-5-6 (20). He was 25.

In retirement Fammo continued to stay close to the fight game, picking up work as a referee and regularly attending both amateur and professional shows to watch from ringside. In 1971 he collaborated with his long-time friend Frank Quill to write his autobiography ‘Fammo’. He also authored a book titled ‘The Method’ that detailed Ambrose Palmer’s training techniques.

When Fammo was at his peak, there was always speculation from fans about how a fight between himself and WBC and WBA bantamweight champion Lionel Rose would play out, but there was little chance of that happening. They were mates. That debate still rages today.

In 1985 Fammo was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Tragedy struck Fammo in 1991 when he was hit by a car outside Warwick Farm racecourse in Sydney. He suffered a range of significant injuries, including an acquired brain injury and a stroke, and spent 10 days in a coma. Showing his true fighter’s heart, he began a new form of complex brain-based multi-movement therapy in 1993 that returned him close to full health within three months.

“It was a tough time, but I am back on track,’’ Famechon once told News Corp. “I have led a great life and I am thankful for all of it. You have to take the tough times as well. I have seen some incredible things in Australia and abroad.’’

Former IBF super featherweight champion Barry Michael was just one of many youths who looked up to the inspirational Famechon as a national hero.

“As a kid living in housing commission and seeing Fammo win a world title, it was so inspiring to me and many others,’’ Michael said.

“I believe a state funeral would be appropriate because of the sportsman and the man he was.

“He was an idol back then. There was always talk of him fighting Lionel Rose but they were great mates and would never fight each other.

“He was super slick, a defensive genius. You couldn’t hit him, but he was a pretty good puncher as well. Twenty-five per cent of his wins were knockouts.

“After the accident was a different person, but he was quite cheeky as would occasionally say things which were not politically correct.

“Prior to the accident, he was the quietest, most humble man. He was a student of the game.’’

The Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame inducted him in the Modern category in their inaugural year in 2003. He was elevated to Legend status in 2012.

Fammo was honored with a life-sized bronze statue in his hometown of Frankston in 2018, joining Les Darcy and Lionel Rose to receive this honor.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honors for significant service to boxing at the elite level.

A state funeral for Famechon will be held on a date to be determined.