A Melbourne Story - Boxing Documentary

Two Boxers. Two Mates. One Hell of a World Title Fight. When Lester Ellis and Barry Michael clashed for a world title decades ago, it was a night for boxing fans to remember. Against a backdrop of organized crime, and crumbling friendships, A Melbourne Story is an account of the only fight between two Australians for a world championship in boxing. 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 accept