Johnny Famechon
Titles: WBC featherweight champion 1969-1970
Record: 56-5-6
Born: March 28, 1945 in Paris, France
Years active: 1961-1970
Nickname: None
Johnny was born into a great French boxing family with his Uncle Ray having
fought Willie Pep for a world title and his father Emile and another Uncle
Andre both having boxed at a world class level and were French champions.
With this kind of pedigree is not hard to imagine the young Johnny liking
his chances in the world of boxing. He had to convinence his father first
however who thought his son should continue as a electricians apprentice.
Born in Paris Johnny and his father emigrated to Australia after the
divorce of his parents at the age of 5. Famechon never boxed in the amateur
ranks and turned pro at the age of 16 which accounts for his rather
unimpressive start, that saw him go 3-2-1 in his first 7 fights. He fought
mostly in Melbourne working his way up the rankings until he finally got a
shot at the Australian featherweight title in his 22nd fight. The title
winning effort came at the expense of Ollie Tayler. Famechon defended his
crown thruout Australia but preferred to fight in Melbourne when possible
where he enjoyed a loyal following. The next title which Johnny took was
the British Empire crown, when Johnny O'Brien ventured to Melbourne and
paid the price. Famechon should be considered a fine boxer who preferred
to win behind his jab and stamina but when pressed by opponents he traded
with a furry. Famechon fought for the first time outside of Australia when
he returned home to Paris to fight Rene Roque and defeat him in impressive
fashion. In 1969 Famechon made his debut to a worldwide audience when he
won the WBC featherweight title by outboxing the Cuban Jose Legra. What
makes the win even more impressive is that Legra came into the fight on
a 54 fight unbeaten streak and the fight was held in a neutral London
ring. On this night it was the defense that won the title for Famechon as
Legra could not find the correct distance and was counter punched out of
his title. 2 successful defenses followed against Japan's legendary
Fighting Harada. The first fight was controversial to say the least and
saw Johnny on the canvas 3 times and still come away with a very disputed
points win. The second fight was a classic fight, it featured Famechon
once again on the canvas but his stamina and sheer will saw him come back
to knock Harada out in the 14th round. The second fight is regarded as one
of the best featherweight fights of all-time. Maybe the two grueling bouts
took too much out of Famechon and he lost his title to a premier fighter,
Mexico's southpaw Vincente Saldivar in Rome. He was 35 when he lost the
title and decided to retire. In retirement Famechon stayed in good shape
even running marathons into his 40's. Famechon was seriously injured in a
car crash that at times left him on life support but as usual his great
determination saw him through the tough times and he is now making a good
recovery.
Johnny Famechon
Career Record: 56 W, 5 L, 6 D (20 K.O's)
1961
Jun 7 Sam Lang Melbourne D 3
Aug 4 Salvatore Casabene Melbourne KO 2
Sep 15 Peter Barnes Melbourne KO 4
1962
Apr 6 Brian Levier Melbourne D 4
Jun 1 Gordon Crooks Melbourne KO 2
Jun 22 Ray Spackman Melbourne L 6
Oct 5 Nick Wells Melbourne KO 3
Nov 16 Ray Spackman Melbourne W 6
1963
Mar 8 Ken Edwards Melbourne KO 6
Apr 27 Bobby Daldy Melbourne W 6
Jul 19 Kelvin Bell Melbourne W 8
Aug 23 Bobby Daldy Melbourne W 8
Sep 6 Ray Spackman Melbourne W 8
Oct 4 Jimmy Smith Melbourne W 10
Oct 25 Ossi Renner Melbourne W 10
Nov 29 Giacomo Gulino Melbourne W 12
1964
Feb 21 Johnny Evans Melbourne KO 7
Mar 20 Giacomo Gulino Melbourne W 12
May 22 Les Dunn Melbourne KO 10
Aug 7 Arthur Clark Melbourne KO 9
Aug 28 Max Murphy Melbourne W 12
Sep 18 Ollie Taylor Melbourne W 15
Nov 6 Pat Gonzalez Melbourne W 12
1965
Feb 8 Billy Males Sydney KO 6
Mar 19 Domencio Chiloiro Melbourne W 15
Apr 1 Dion Murphy Christchurch, NZ L 10
Jun 4 Domencio Chiloiro Melbourne D 12
Jun 11 Sington Por Tor Melbourne W 12
Jul 19 Max Murphy Sydney L 12
Sep 24 Max Murphy Melbourne KO 7
Oct 15 Harold Hopkins Melbourne KO 4
Oct 29 Gilberto Biondi Melbourne L 12
1966
Feb 11 Mario Sitri Melbourne W 12
Feb 25 Carmelo Coscia Melbourne W 12
Mar 11 Noel Kunde Brisbane, Australia KO 8
Apr 1 Domencio Chiloiro Melbourne W 15
May 4 Noel Kunde Brisbane, Australia KO 4
Jun 10 Domencio Chiloiro Melbourne D 12
Oct 7 Gaetano Dos Santos Melbourne W 10
Dec 9 Giovanni Girgenti Melbourne D 12
1967
Jan 20 Giovanni Girgenti Sydney W 12
Mar 3 Andrea Silanos Melbourne KO 2
Apr 14 Roberto Wong Melbourne W 10
May 26 Lothar Abend Melbourne W 10
Jul 7 James Skelton Melbourne W 10
Jul 21 Gilberto Biondi Melbourne W 10
Sep 27 Don Johnson Melbourne W 10
Oct 17 Michel Houdeau Melbourne KO 6
Nov 24 Johnny O'Brien Melbourne KO 11
1968
Feb 16 Isao Ichihara Melbourne W 10
Mar 11 Rene Roque Paris D 10
Apr 5 Antonio Herrera Melbourne W 10
May 20 Bobby Valdez Sydney WDQ 13
Jul 1 Freddie Rengifo Sydney KO 10
Jul 26 Vincenzo Pitardi Melbourne W 10
Sep 13 Billy McGrandle Melbourne KO 12
Oct 18 Nevio Carbi Melbourne W 10
1969
Jan 21 Jose Legra London W 15
(Wins WBC Featherweight Title)
Mar 21 Jose Jimenez Melbourne W 10
Apr 21 Giovanni Girgenti London W 10
May 20 Jimmy Anderson London W 10
Jul 28 Fighting Harada Sydney W 15
(Retains WBC Featherweight Title)
Nov 11 Miguel Herrera London W 10
Dec 9 Pete Gonzalez London KO 3
1970
Jan 6 Fighting Harada Tokyo KO 14
(Retains WBC Featherweight Title)
Apr 11 Arnold Taylor Johannesburg W 10
May 9 Vicente Saldivar Rome L 15
(Loses WBC, For World Featherweight Title)