Vale John Famechon AM
Esteemed Member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame

28/03/1945 – 04/08/2022

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame is mourning the passing of esteemed Member Jean-Pierre ‘John’ Famechon AM who passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022, aged 77.

Famechon, who fought during the golden period of Australian boxing, became Australia’s third world boxing champion. He was champion of the world when boxing in Australia was enormously popular. Over his 20-year career he became known as a tough fighter, with a career record of 56 wins (20 by KO), 6 draws and 5 losses. With silky defensive skills, he was nicknamed ‘poetry in motion’ and his deft craftsmanship exemplified why boxing could be called the sweet science.

In 1991, he suffered a stroke and Acquired Brain Injury and was in a coma for 10 days after being hit by a car whilst jogging near Sydney’s Warwick Farm racecourse. Two years after the accident he started a special rehabilitation program that returned him to near full health. His fight to return to full health showed he did not leave his fighting spirit in the ring. His sharp wit and ready smile always inspired those around him, and not once did he claim life had treated him badly.

Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair, John Bertrand AO said, “Johnny Famechon. One of the most popular Australian boxers of all-time. 

Johnny was our humble skilful world champion, showing the essence of how we see our heroes. He was described as poetry in motion, a master craftsman.

But forget about boxing, as a human, there was no one better.

Our thoughts are with Johnny’s wife Glenys, the entire boxing community and all the lives he touched.”

Read John Famechon’s full biography here.