Monday 10 July 2023

Remember This? Boxing at the Sydney Opera House (1982)

Sydney Opera House hosts boxing fight April 3 1982 daily telegraph 9 
Source: Anon. 1982. "Fight Promotion A Smooth Opera-ation". The Daily Telegraph, April 3: 9. 

Did you know that the Sydney Opera House once hosted Boxing? 

It happened on 4 April 1982 when the Performance Hall was converted into a temporary boxing arena with the boxing ring placed on the stage.

3000 people turned up to the event, promoted by Rugby League player Tommy Raudonikis. 

The evening's main bout was between Paul Ferreri and John Feeney for the Commonwealth bantamweight title, which was won by Ferreri in the 13th round after the fight was stopped. 

Newspaper reports reported that brawls broke out amongst the crowd during the event, which security struggled to contain, and police were not to be seen until after the fight subsided. 

After the violence that evening, Boxing bouts were banned and have remained so to this day.

Sydney Opera House bans Boxing April 6 1982 daily telegraph 3

Source: Anon. 1982. "Ban on Opera House boxing". The Daily Telegraph, April 6: 3. 

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