Barry Michael


Barry Michael is an Australian former boxer. He was in his prime during the 1980s and is best remembered for his 1985 fight against Lester Ellis, which received nationwide television coverage in Australia.

Early life

Michael was born on 2 June 1955 in England and his family migrated to Australia in 1957. He grew up in Williamstown and changed his name from, Swettenham

Professional career

Michael won the IBF super featherweight title on 12 July 1985 over Lester Ellis. He made his first defense three months later on 19 October 1985 with a 4th-round TKO win over Korean Jin-Shik Choi at the Darwin Oval in the Northern Territory. The 25-year-old Choi had a record of 17-1 going into the fight and had won eight straight. Jin-Shik Choi's only loss going into the fight was to Rod Sequenan, two years earlier by 12th-round knockout.

Later career

Michael ran for the Senate in 2013, representing the Palmer United Party.
Today, Michael is a boxing analyst in the media and appears on SEN 1116 as well as writing for the Herald Sun.