Johnny Famechon
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| Johnny Famechon | |
 |
|
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Jean-Pierre Famechon |
| Rated at | Featherweight, |
| Height | 5' 5 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Birth date | 28 March 1945 |
| Birth place | Paris, France |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 67 |
| Wins | 56 |
| Wins by KO | 20 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 6 |
Johnny Famechon (born March 28, 1945) is an Australian featherweight boxer, who was born as Jean-Pierre Famechon in France. He moved to Australia in 1950 aged five. Over his twenty-year career he became known as a tough fighter, a career record of 56 wins (20 by KO), 6 draws and 5 losses.
His first major win was over Les Dunn to become Victorian Featherweight champion in 1964, then he was Commonwealth featherweight champion in 1967 after defeating the Scot, Johnny O'Brien. He became WBC featherweight champion on January 21, 1969 after he defeated the Cuban Jose Legra on points at the Albert Hall in London.
He defended his crown against Fighting Harada of Japan and won in a controversial decision; he won against Harada in Japan six months later, knocking him out in the fourteenth round. He lost a close bout in Rome to Mexican Vicente Saldivar on 9 May 1970, retiring afterwards.
He was trained by Ambrose Palmer throughout his professional career and never fought as an amateur. He lives in Melbourne, Australia - part of the time in the suburb of Aspendale. He is the only World featherweight champion never to have been knocked out.
Reach: 66
Height: 5' 5½" (166cm)
In 1971, he wrote an autobiography called Fammo.
Famechon was the first Melburnian to become King of Moomba in 1970 when appointed by the Moomba festival committee.[1]Ĭ
He was badly injured when hit by a car whilst jogging outside Sydney's Warwick Farm racecourse in 1991, which resulted in horrific injuries. In December of 1993 Ragnar Purje introduced himself to John and his fiance Glenys Bussey. Ragnar informed John and Glenys that he had a theory pertaining to Acquired Brain Injury neurological rehabilitation. Ragnar explained that his theory was formulated through his extensive Goju Karate studies and training as well as his academic training in psychology, counselling, physical education and sport science. With encouragement from John, Glenys and John's personal physician Ragnar began applying his theory and his Acquired Brain Injury neurological rehabilitation almost immediately. The program was intense and demanding. After three months of this program John took his first steps. From there John has never looked back. John now walks unaided with the use of a walking stick. His speech and his memory have improved. His significant intellect and his immense insights is a wonder to behold. It is very clear that the same discipline and dedication which made him a world boxing champion has been evident in what he has achieved outside of the ring. John is now clearly a world champion in rehabilitation. It's interesting to note that following his accident, John informed Glenys that he would not marry her until he could walk her down the aisle. John walked down the aisle with Glenys when he married her in June 1997.
John Famechon was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles in 1997.
[edit] Reference sources
- ^ Craig Bellamy, Gordon Chisholm, Hilary Eriksen, (17 Feb 2006) Moomba: A festival for the people.: http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Moomba/History%20of%20Moomba.pdf PDF p 22
- Talk to Johnny Famechon / Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame
| Preceded by Jose Legra |
WBC Featherweight Champion 21 Jan 1969– 9 May 1970. |
Succeeded by Vicente Saldivar |
