Johnny Famechon Wiki
Johnny Famechon Biography
Who was Johnny Famechon?
Johnny Famechon was one of the most popular and skilled Australian boxers of all time, but it was a brutal accident outside the ring that proved his incredible toughness and graceful spirit.
Jean-Pierre “Johnny” Famechon, 77, died in Melbourne, leaving behind a reputation as a master craftsman who helped popularize the sport in Australia.
With silky defensive skills, Famechon was dubbed “poetry in motion” and his deft prowess exemplified why boxing could be called the sweet science.
The biggest challenge of Famechon’s life came not in the ring, but in recovering from being hit by a car near Sydney’s Warwick Farm racecourse in 1991. He was in a coma for 10 days.
Career
His career contained some memorable golden stallions, such as his epic world title win against Cuban José Legra at London’s Albert Hall in 1969.
The magnitude of his victory was such that he was given the keys to the city of Melbourne on his return to Australia and was named King of Moomba in 1970, a sign of his status as a bona fide Australian sporting superstar.
The last fight of his career was a points loss to Mexican Vicente Saldivar in Rome, a loss he never got over.
In photos after the judge’s decision, he wore a beret that was a special gift from a fan.
“I saw a guy a few days before the fight and told him how much I loved that hat,” he said.
“He told me that if I won the fight he would give it to me. I saw him after the fight and he gave it to me and he said “this is yours mate… you won.
“But I have no complaints. I enjoyed my run.”
Causes of Death
Famechon suffered an acquired brain injury and a major stroke, but two years after the accident he began a special rehabilitation program that brought him back almost completely.
“It was a tough time, but I’m back to normal,” he once told News Corp.
“I have led a great life and I am grateful for all of it. You have to take the hard times too. I’ve seen amazing things in Australia and abroad.”
In fact it did.
After moving to Australia from France with his family at the age of five, Famechon stayed with his father after her mother and his younger brother Christian returned to France a couple of years later.
Although he never fought as an amateur, he boxed professionally for more than 20 years with 56 wins, six draws and five losses. He retired at the age of 24 saying: “he had already had so many fights, enough was enough”.
