Famechon cannot believe he lost. He made his professional debut at a little over 16 years old, and just three years later, he was the Victorian State champion in his weight division. Lynne Malcolm: So what's behind it is if you get people to do these particular movements over and over again, that creates the brain activity to make changes, both cognitively and physically. Lynne Malcolm: It must have been pretty exciting though to be a world champion. Nothing prepared him for the first knockout loss of his career, when he walked into the path of a car doing 100km/h down the Hume Highway at Warwick Farm in Sydney's west and was sent cartwheeling through the air and on to his head. He made his professional debut at a little over 16 years old, and just three years later, he was the Victorian State champion in his weight division. I want to see him in the midfield of Manchester United, Barcelona wants to reduce costs by 300 million euros and reduce the salaries of players, CFR intends to boycott the match of the Romanian League because of the refereeing by the decision of the owner, Antonio Conte: I came close to being in charge of Real Madrid Several times. The Australian fought as he always has, hitting and back-pedalling. But let me also say, prior to that, Lynne, there was the time that John actually ran as well, and that was a time in his backyard that he was walking quite rapidly. Training at Festival Hall gym, Melbourne. And John, with my support, holding him, ran to Glenys, and we ran and he ran into her arms, and we were having a group hug and laughing and crying and jumping all at the same time. First listen, work hard, practice, practice, practice, work, work, work, and continue to practice. “I didn’t think he could lose after the 14th round.”, A young Famechon with trainer Charlie BurgessCredit:Percy Spiden. On arrival home, Famechon was greeted by a parade with hundreds of thousands in attendance. Lynne Malcolm: And do you mind doing the exercises? And that led to the start of me working with John in December of 1993. His broken body looked so fit that doctors estimated he was in his late 20s although he was actually 46. "What does that photo mean to you, Johnny?,'' he would ask. Jean-Pierre Famechon was born in Paris, France, in March 1945. SCAN-TELE-01909208 I never thought Saldivar got on top,” he said bitterly disappointed. We had to have lots and lots of practice. Ragnar and Famechon met through a mutual friend who believed Ragnar's studies of the brain and cognitive function might help re-ignite the spark in his friend. Lynne Malcolm: So how might this theory and what you've seen that has worked in practice with John, how might that be taken into everybody's lives? Glenys Famechon: He's a bit cheeky, Lynne, be careful! Johnny Famechon Statue Unveiled - 21st January 2018 Location - Ballam Park Cranbourne Rd, Frankston VIC 3199. Both boxers underwent dope checks after the fight. So you are always stretching beyond what you were achieving. “Perhaps I look at these things with one eye, but I can’t see where Johnny lost. Johnny Famechon: Geez, she can talk, can't she! But you do need to be active, and what is very important is movement is the key. This was Famechon’s first professional loss in nearly half a decade. And what we've discovered is that a brain derived neurotrophic factor which is a protein plays a significant role. He retired soon after his 1970 victory over boxing great the Fighting Harada in Tokyo. He’s very excited,” said Gary. It was the start of verbal sparring between the two that has lasted 20 years. I'm glad to see that I'm able to get around, walk about, do things that I couldn't do before. Ragnar looks at the portrait and remembers those great performances at Melbourne's Festival Hall and Sydney Stadium, in Paris, London and Tokyo. Your information is handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement. Johnny Famechon was born as Jean-Pierre and moved to Australia from France as a young child. Johnny Famechon (born Jean-Pierre Famechon 28 March 1945 in Paris, France) is a former Australian featherweight boxer. Before long he was helping Famechon lift his arm. At the opening of Lionel Rose’s statue, Lionel Rose said to Stephen Glassborow that he wanted him to do a statue of his mate ‘Fammo’, and that’s how it was commissioned,” said Gary.