Bill Farnan
BORN September 23 1851; McIvor Diggins, Victoria, Australia DIED March 13 1891; Kew Asylum, Victoria, Australia HEIGHT 5-9 WEIGHT 182 lbs Farnan was a fighter of superior ability and the best in Australia in the early 1880s; He possessed the "killer instinct" along with his great strength and lethal punch with either hand; His paralyzing hooks to the body were his best punches
He was the first Heavyweight Champion of Australia and many observers thought he would be a worthy opponent for the American Champion, John L. Sullivan
1872 an unnamed opponent in Australia W 1873 Jack Charles in Australia W Jack Charles in Australia L Jack Charles in Australia L 1873-1877 Dubbo in Australia W Jack Thompson Melbourne, Vic, Aus W George Green W 1 1878 Liverpool Bill Melbourne, Vic, Aus W 2 Jim Smith Melbourne, Vic, Aus KO 1 -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Liverpool Bill Melbourne, Vic, Aus W -This bout was held one week after the first bout with "Liverpool Bill" Mike Bullockey in Australia W -This bout was held two weeks after the second bout with "Liverpool Bill" Jim Hogan Melbourne, Vic, Aus W Billy King Melbourne, Vic, Aus W Oct 26 Bill Blakeley Melbourne, Vic, Aus W 1879 Jun 23 Jim Smith Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Oct 18 Jack Fergie Melbourne, Vic, Aus KO 1 Oct 18 Mike Bullockey Melbourne, Vic, Aus W 25 -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date as part of a Jem Mace Tournament 1880 Feb 28 Dick Atkinson Melbourne, Vic, Aus KO 1 1881 Feb Charlie "Darkie" Richardson Melbourne, Vic, Aus KO 6 -Heavyweight Championship of Australia Apr Peter Newton Melbourne, Vic, Aus KO 1882 -Farnan went to Sydney to arrange a fight with Larry Foley but no arrangements were agreed upon-Farnan challenged Larry Foley to a fight; Foley refused-Farnan challenged William Miller to a fight; Miller never answeredLarry Foley Melbourne, Vic, Aus SCH -Heavyweight Championship of Australia; This bout was scheduled but not held; Farnan and Foley disagreed over conditions -Farnan again challenged Larry Foley to a fight; Foley refused 1883 Jun 16 John M. Christie Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Dec 22 Jack Graham Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 1884 Mar 1 Charlie "Darkie" Richardson Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Mar 5 Charlie "Darkie" Richardson Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Mar 5 Jack Graham Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Jul 26 Peter Jackson Melbourne, Vic, Aus KO 3 -Heavyweight Championship of Australia Sep 23 Peter Jackson Sydney, NSW, Aus D 6 -Heavyweight Championship of Australia; Some sources report "Melbourne, Vic, Aus" Sep 13 W.T. Payne Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Oct 2 Larry Foley Melbourne, Vic, Aus SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known Nov 24 Peter Newton Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Dec 10 Tom Lees Melbourne, Vic, Aus ND 3 Dec 11 Peter Newton Melbourne, Vic, Aus ND 3 1885 Jan 15 Abe Hicken Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Feb 7 Tom Lees Melbourne, Vic, Aus D 3 -Police intervened Tom Lees Melbourne, Vic, Aus SCH -This bout was scheduled but fell through Apr 27 Luke Keegan Melbourne, Vic, Aus ND 4 May 20 Tom Lees Melbourne, Vic, Aus LK 12 -Heavyweight Championship of Australia -Farnan challenged Lees to a "return" fight; Negotiations fell through Jun 6 an unnamed opponent Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Jun 30 Larry Foley Sydney, NSW, Aus SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known 1886 Jan 25 Dubbo Melbourne, Vic, Aus KO 2 Apr 19 Tom Lees Williamstown, Vic, Aus D 19 -Heavyweight Championship of Australia Some sources report "Melbourne, Vic, Aus" Apr 20 Tom Lees Essendon, Vic, Aus LK 4 -Heavyweight Championship of Australia 1887 Oct 29 Frank "Paddy" Slavin Melbourne, Vic, Aus LK 2 -This was a "private" fight *** Assistance Was Provided By Sergei Yurchenko ***
Record courtesy of Tracy Callis, Historian, International Boxing Research Organization
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