Sweet Science - Monday 6pm - Paul Ferreri Tribute

Paul Ferreri Story (continued)

By Tony Pritchard – Nobbs.


He then lost and regained the Australian feather belt against Gary Williams, defended the 130 pounder against Talbot. Four inside the distance triumphs in Commonwealth defenses over Zimbabwe's Styx McLeod (2) England's European title challenger John Feeney (on the infamous Opera House bill) and Zambia's Francis Musanakabala – three at home and one in Harare, ZIM, were sandwiched by points wins over Thai Sakda Saksuree (who once beat the great Khaosar Galaxy) and Indonesian Saipa Monod before three straight ten round points defeats overseas in Seoul, Los Angeles and Portland in 1983 and '84 saw him slip out of the world title picture. Not that there was any disgrace losing those decisions. Oh Min Gun went on to win the IBF featherweight title, Gilberto Roman became WBC super flyweight champion and James Manning was a home town favorite and world top tenner.

For a time he trained young pro Lester Ellis but also continued to ply his trade, hoping to goad then IBF bantam champ, a young Jeff Fenech enough that he and wily promoter Bill Mordey would take the bait. Needless to say, Ferreri believes he would have been too good for The Marrickville Mauler, especially in his prime. “He had a smart promoter and won three world titles but if he was fighting in the seventies he wouldn't have been Australian champion because he would have had to fight me” commented Paul quite matter of factly.

With the help of globe trotting Sydney trainer Charlie Gergan, who was also keen for a Fenech – Ferreri showdown, the by now 36 year old veteran was matched to fight top rated 26-1-1, 17 KO's, Hurley Snead, a more experienced Kronk stablemate of 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Mc Crory on the under card of Fenech – Mc Crory in Sydney on June 20 '86 but it fell through when the 26 year old import inexplicably failed to make weight.

In the final year and a half of his career Paul stopped Kiwi Jeff Smith, Sydney's Kirk Blair and Queensland's Junior Thompson but after defeats to Tony Miller - a later Fenech victim - for the national 126 pounder in Melbourne and Ray Minus (a three time world title challenger) surrendering the Commonwealth jewels in The Bahama's, he retired in September 1986, perhaps wondering what might have been had he arrived in a later era?

“No. I'm glad I got to fight in the time I did because that is when the better fighters were. To be a Commonwealth champion back in those days was like being a world champion today. They have so many titles today that there aren't enough fighters to fill them."

Asked what victories stand out he said winning the Australian title of Presnell, as well as beating Snowball, Sotelo and Feeney.

Ferreri names Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhummad Ali as his favorite fighters. “They could do anything. They were beautiful to watch”. Defense is what he says was his greatest attribute. “It's like Ambrose always said 'boxing is the art of hitting and not being hit.' I think it is the reason I was able to fight until my late thirty's and still have all of my marbles”.

Fittingly, Paul finished his career holding the Bantamweight Championship of Australia seventeen years after first capturing it. “I never relinquished it or lost it in the ring. They (powers that be) took it from behind my back when I was overseas in 1975” he protested. He ended up regaining it and retaining Commonwealth laurels by beating Brian Roberts, the new champ in 1976. “I am the longest reigning Australian champion in history. I believe it is a world record also (for national champions)."

We have not produced a better southpaw since and in 2006 Ferreri was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame (ANBHOF).

He retired from work at the age of fifty, being a Youth Worker with Juvenile Justice since the later stages of his fighting days and still has his gym in Avondale Heights, where he lives, and has run for thirty years.

“Unfortunately I haven't found a fighter dedicated enough to keep at it” he said.

Sadly, they don't make 'em like Paul Ferreri no more.


*Note: This article first appeared in November's issue of leading Aussie boxing publication Fist Magazine.

(great article too Tony)

 

Is that the same Tony Knobbs who wrote the wonderful story on Bobby Sinn last year for The Fist??

 

Truer words never spoken.

 

The best piece written on Paul Ferreri I've seen. Josey just read the whole article word for word and said he enjoyed it too (PM).

 

Yea ? maybe my prize will be a special edition DSS radio alarm clock so i don't miss future installments or a seat next to Hoody on his one way trip to the Russian steps , great to hear such a tidy fighter is doing well ...:good

 

Yes CHB and i particuarly enjoyed the parts regarding Johnny and this below , never truer words spoken imo ...

“No. I'm glad I got to fight in the time I did because that is when the better fighters were. To be a Commonwealth champion back in those days was like being a world champion today. They have so many titles today that there aren't enough fighters to fill them."

in youngsters speak....Word...:deal

 

Is that where my prize is waiting Josey???

What am I doing in Alaska now then???

 

Don't leave the airport it's only a refuelling stop :deal