sport news Aussie boxing mourns as legendary world champ Johnny Famechon dies years after ... trends now Aussie boxing mourns as legendary world champion dies decades after horror car accident put him in a coma for 10 days and left him with a brain injury - as shocked Jeff Fenech makes heartfelt tribute By Shayne Bugden For Daily Mail Australia Published: 00:51 BST, 4 August 2022 | Updated: 00:53 BST, 4 August 2022 Viewcomments The death of former featherweight world champion Johnny Famechon aged 77 has rocked Australian boxing more than 30 years after he bravely battled back from a shocking accident that left him in a coma. Best remembered for taking the title against Jose Legra in a thrilling 15-round bout in London in 1969 - then beating famous Japanese pug Fighting Harada later that year - Famechon died in Melbourne, it was announced on Thursday. Famed for his silky skills with the gloves on, he proved he was also immensely tough outside the ring when he battled back after he was hit by a car near Sydney's Warwick Farm racetrack in 1991. The impact put him in a coma for 10 days and when he regained consciousness he had a brain injury and suffered a stroke - but fought his way back to lead what he described as 'a great life'. His fellow Aussie world champion Jeff Fenech was gutted after hearing the news. 'He never failed to send me a Christmas card and every time I saw him we would laugh and joke,' he told radio 2GB. 'He was such a beautiful man. On top of his legendary boxing record as a human he was second to none. More to come... Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility