Memorable fights on Australian Soil

One of Charkey's most memorable scraps was at the Sydney Opera House when he was refereeing a fight that turned into a riot. Type in the words Salisbury Vs Temelkov - Brawl at The Sydney Opera House into Youtube.

 

I think you will find that is the only time boxing was held at the Opera House. After what happened that night they said never again.

 

Not many of you would remember legend guru and olympiic trainer and pro trainer Mick Canavan fighting on TV Ringside in 1968. This fight won TV Ringside's then valuable title of "Best Fight of the Year"1968. Mick had prepared excellently under his new trainer Ambrose Palmer to fight the very well geared and solid strong boxer/fighter from Geelong, Bobby Murdock. Mick a Middleweight, had been stopped by Murdoch in the first bout due to a cut eye...Murdoch was a much taller solid, middle, light heavy and heavyweight. Mick had very succeptable eyebrows.

Anyway, before a huge TVRingside crowd, in the second bout, Mick bounced up continually to Murdoch with well timed combos, particularly, left rip, followed by left hook then right cross. Murdoch was on the back foot for most of the fight. Mick evaded Murdoch's attacks in elite Palmer style with his defensive moves by shuffling backwards and ducking.

The fight was made incredibly active by Mick in his hop up, walk up style. Mick won the second fight which was a constant contest with numerous blows being thrown and received. He and Bob earned some good moolla for the Fight of the Year.

Further incredibility six years later, as fate would have it, Mick became best man at my wedding, and was eventually godfather to my children. We were great mates.

RIP great boxing legend, Mick Canavan....

 

Thanks for sharing that mate. Ambrose had a great troupe of boys training with him under the old house of stoush back in those days.

 

Billy Moeller and Jeff Malcolm had some good scraps. Ended up 3-2 Flash's way. They all went the distance except the first one when Flash got DQed. Bloody southpaws :yep

 

Remenber vividly , having Dinner with Mick one night , we were discussing his problems , he had if i remember correctly , metal coming out of his leg , and telling me that he was waiting for a heart , BUT that if it came he would'nt accept it ,,,
Whaaaat , i said , and Mick said to me , i've had a great life . been succesful in my life , had great kids , great grandkids , he said i've been a profesional boxer , trainer of champions , flew a plane , at least i think he said that bit .

But i've been happy and will be happy to die not wither away , he said .

Faack , i remember thinking what a facking BRAVE man , cos he was genuine ,. He died not longer and it brought a tear to my eye ,

Not because he was a great mate , he was'nt , but more because he was , or at least i thought he was A GREAT MAN .

 

There was so much about Mick, throughout his whole life actually, where he demonstrated his strength to walk through and deal with nearly anything, give his time to others, give people a lift up ...assisted by that cheeky smile..... you said it correctly, he was a GREAT man.

 

With all of what Mick did for boxing I trust someone did the noble thing and named a trophy or something more significant after him in recognition of his contributions?

 

Billy could box and punch and though he lost his share he scored wins over Malcolm, Lionel Rose, Barry Michael, Jimmy Bell, Matt Ropis and others.

 

We had some handy southpaws getting around in those days. Jimmy Bell went alright and Malcolm and Moeller. Just just to name a few.

 

Slightly off topic. I just read "Nappy" Ollington died. He was 86.

"Nappy" used to run 2 up around town and had a school upstairs at Kevin Watterson's gym.

 

Sounds like 'Nappy' Ollington must have been a hell of a character. He played football for Footscray years ago and apparently ran illegal gambling schools for over 30 years.

 

Jeff Malcom won 100 pro fights. I think he is the only Aussie to do that?