10 of the best Australian boxers

Jeff Fenech Australian boxers

BN Staff

Nov 27 2021

  1. Kostya Tszyu
    Known as the ‘Thunder from Down Under’, Tszyu was a Russian-born, Australian-built destroyer who ruled at super-lightweight in 2001 when knocking out Zab Judah inside two rounds.
  2. Vic Darchinyan
    A big-punching little man, Darchinyan was born in Armenia but made his name in Australia, winning a flyweight title against Irene Pacheco in 2004, a belt he defended six times before surrendering it to Nonito Donaire. He went on to win further belts at super-fly.
  3. Jeff Fenech
    A belt-holder in three weight classes (bantamweight, super-bantamweight and featherweight), Fenech spent much of his career in Australia and waged two classic fights (as well as a pointless third) against Azumah Nelson. He also fought for belts as super-featherweight and lightweight.
  4. Young Griffo
    Admirers called Griffo the “Australian Will O’ The Wisp” and he reigned as world featherweight champion from 1890 to 1892. During his career he defeated Abe Willis, Ike Weir, Horace Leeds, and Joe Harmon, and boxed professionally over 200 times.
  5. Jimmy Carruthers
    Paddington’s Carruthers was a sharp-shooting southpaw who rose to prominence when winning the world bantamweight title with a first-round KO of Vic Toweel in 1952.
  6. Jeff Harding
    Harding is best known for his wonderful light-heavyweight trilogy with Dennis Andries.
  7. Lionel Rose
    Rose became the first Indigenous Australian to win a world title when he beat Masahiko Harada for the world bantamweight title in 1968.
  8. Johnny Femechon
    French-born Femechon turned pro at 16 and would defeat Fighting Harada in 1969 to take the WBC featherweight title.
  9. Daniel Geale
    Geale travelled to Germany in 2011 to win the IBF middleweight title against Sebastian Sylvester, a belt he defended four times.
  10. Jeff Horn
    Though he won’t be remembered as one of Australia’s finest boxers, Horn’s 2017 upset win against the great Manny Pacquiao to guarantee his place in Aussie boxing history.

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