The 1985 junior lightweight fight between Barry Michael and Lester
Ellis was very much a Melbourne story, featuring a broad spectrum of
Melbourne s underworld _ the Carlton mob on Lester s side through his
manager Cos Sita, and the Dockers on Barry s, through trainer Leo
Berry.

Michael, 30, had already had a long and arduous career. Ellis was
only 20 and was a crowd favourite. Michael had been Ellis s boyhood
hero. He idolised the older boxer, sparred with him and lapped up the
techniques and quirks that would take him to the top of his profession.

When Michael decided to challenge Ellis, Ellis accepted immediately,
despite advice to the contrary. He had nothing to gain and everything to
lose. But Michael knew which emotional buttons to push with the
younger, hot-headed boxer, and goaded him into a fight for the title.
It started one of the most acrimonious build-ups to a fight in
Australia s history, fuelled
by underworld jostling, betrayal and intense personal rivalry.

The fight went to 15 rounds and was one of the most dramatic and violent seen in Australia.

When the dust settled, Michael was the crowned winner. The victory amazed boxing experts around the world.

For Michael, who was expected to lose, the fight was a crowning
achievement in a career that had been a struggle every step of the way.
For the working class boy Ellis, the loss was a disaster from which he
never really recovered.

Twenty years later, Ellis and Michael have resumed their friendship,
but continue to reflect on the night that changed their lives forever.