Johnny Famechon, Australian featherweight legend, dies at 77

Australia has lost one of its all-time greats.

Johnny Famechon, a featherweight world titleholder in 1969-70, has died in Melbourne, according to reports. He was 77.

Famechon (56-5-6, 20 KOs) was born in France but moved with his family to Australia when he was a child. He became a professional boxer at 16 and was finished at 25. However, as a result of his elite skill, he made an indelible mark.

His biggest victory was a 15-round decision over Cuban-born WBC champion Jose Legra in January 1969 at Royal Albert Hall in London, giving the Aussie the lineal world title and the Key to City when he returned to Melbourne.

He successfully defended twice against Hall of Famer Fighting Harada of Japan, the first time by a disputed decision and the rematch by knockout in Round 14. He then lost his belt to another Hall of Famer, Vicente Saldivar of Mexico, by a close decision in May 1970.

He never fought again after that setback, after which he became a referee and marathon runner.

“Fammo” was hit by a car in 1991 in Sydney, which caused a severe brain injury and a stroke and left him in a coma for 10 days. He gained further respect from his countrymen by battling back from the accident to live a normal life.

He received numerous honors in his home country. That includes induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and statue in his hometown of Frankston.

“You talk about them doing state funerals for certain people. If anyone deserves one then ‘Fammo’ certainly does,” Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech of Australia told the Herald. “They have a statue of him [in his hometown of Frankston] and what he did in the sport and what he did after it, it’s second to none, it’s legendary.

“He was beautiful to watch, just so skillful. He was like Floyd Mayweather, one of those guys who hit and never got hit.”

Story originally appeared on Boxing Junkie