Aussie Battle: Lester Ellis vs Barry Michael

---

Aussie Battle: Lester Ellis vs Barry Michael

On the 12th of July, 1985, the Australian public were treated to one of the most fierce and memorable prize fights the country has ever witnessed. 15 grueling rounds between two of their very own boys at one of the most famous boxing venues in the country; Melbourne's Festival Hall.

The local derby consisted of I.B.F junior lightweight champion Lester Ellis, and his idol and former training partner Barry Michael. Ellis was a 19 year old kid that won the world title from Korean fighter Hwan Kil Yuh. He carried a perfect record of 16 wins and 0 losses to the table when he met Barry Michael in the ring. Michael on the other hand was a 30 year old seasoned veteran that came into the ring with a record of 47 wins out of 55 outings. Michael had been promised world title shots throughout his career only to be disappointed by empty promises. Fighting his former training partner and friend was to be his shot at realizing the dream of being a world champion.

Barry Michael was the villain to most of the fight fans in the Hall. He was viewed as an old timer picking on a young fresh kid; a type of bully that people wanted to see dealt with. Upon his entrance to the ring, the crowd booed heavily unlike his foe, Ellis, to whom the crowd favorite was cheered like no tomorrow. The crowds bias didn't matter to Michael; this was the shot he'd been waiting for all of his life and only one man was in the ring with him. No crowd would ever intimidate the veteran warrior.

From the onset both men traded at a fierce pace; both were reluctant to take a backward step. No matter how hurt each were, there mind set was to keep coming forward. Michael trash talked his former pupil throughout the 15 round fight which put Ellis somewhat off his game. Nevertheless, both men gave the crowd one hell of a fight and the Australian public, something to remember for years to come. For 15 rounds, both men punched the living daylights out of each other; an unbelievable pace was fought with tremendous shots taken and given by both men. Will power and determination was what got both fighters over the finish line, but only one could be called champ.

It was to be the veterans night as all three judges scored the fight in Michael's favor. His unanimous decision was a sweet victory that had been a long time coming. Out of all the fighters on the planet that could have given him a shot at a title, it was his former mate and training partner. It would appear that the management of Lester Ellis chucked him in too early against such a seasoned fighter. Losing to his mentor may have hurt his feelings, but Ellis can rest assured that the performance that he left inside the ring against such a formidable foe was truly one for the ages.