Greg McNamara Australian Light heavy champ

[raydoug]

Greg McNamara held the Australian light heavyweight title in the 1970’s. He beat some of the best including Joe Vella, Al Korovou, Al Gattling and Steve Cansdell. Greg was also one of the best street fighters in Sydney. I seen him in action several times. Greg sadly passed away in 1996.

[raydoug]

Greg was a tough as nails boxer who later in trouble over drugging racehorses at Rosehill in the late 1970’s. He was with Rodney Finlay. I was in court with Tony Bellanto representing Greg when Terry Page was named as being involved. Greg was given 18 month’s imprisonment

[raydoug]

I was with Greg when we visited Graham Langlands hotel in Wollongong and one of the patrons became abusive after he was beaten on the pool table. Greg was a bit short on patience and threatened to put the guys lights out when the bouncer of the club who was former boxer Peter Cairney asked nicely if we could keep the peace. Peter was a good guy so we complied

[Grant]

Love these stories Ray

[raydoug]

When Greg was doing time at Cessnock he was attacked in the shower he told me by two inmates one with a knife one with a bar. He grabbed the knife blade slicing his hand then was hit over the head with the bar. He would lose his sight in one eye. He was transferred to Long Bay and was sent to Prince of Wales hospital for operation while two prison guards were with him 24/7. Greg was attacked because he stood up for a prisoner who was threatened by the prison heavies. After being released Greg was barred from all racecourses in NSW but I attended Rosehill racecourse with him

[patron]

Greg was a tough as nails boxer who later in trouble over drugging racehorses at Rosehill in the late 1970’s. He was with Rodney Finlay. I was in court with Tony Bellanto representing Greg when Terry Page was named as being involved. Greg was given 18 month’s imprisonment

[patron]

Rodney Finlay was a good fighter back in the 40.s and 50.s He fought under the name of Johnny Corbett.one of his wins was oves Kieth Saunders a very good fighter under Bill McConnel.. A couple of socalled celebs should have also joined Rod and Greg
.in thedoping case..The Red Hots are ameteurs compared to the sport of Kings!!!!
All the best.

[raydoug]

Rod Finlay was also excellent hairdresser. Still in good health in his eighties. I spoke to him recently

[raydoug]

Rodney Finlay was excellent hairdresser. I good health today in his eighties. I talked to him recently

[patron]

Rod passed awayawhile back,, maybe a couple of months,,he was living up on the gold Coast.Waiting for a hair cut you could walk into the Lass"O''Gowrie and get a schooner take it into the shop and drink whilst getting your hair cut,,the good old days, All the best

[raydoug]

Very sad to hear Rod has passed. Greg named his son Rodney. I met Rodney McNamara a few years ago at a Darchinyan fight in Alexandria. He was with his brother. Very nice young guys. Both standing over six feet. Time fly’s. Greg brought his son Rod to my house when he was about 5 years of age. He would be now in his forties

[patron]

ROD ALSO CALLED his son Rodney I often see Gregs brother Paul Paul could also hoid his hands up a nice bloke..all the best.

[raydoug]

Rodney Finlay jnr also got caught up in horse doping at Rosehill . He was a hairdresser. Greg had brother NOEL who boxed a draw with Billy Bell who beat Mahunga. He was a butcher by trade

[raydoug]

Good effort by Noel McNamara to box a draw with Billy Bell who would defeat Graham Dicker, Billy Choules, Ricky Datsun and Errol McIvor. He had his last fight against Eric Briggs father of Paul Briggs

[raydoug]

Noel had his last fight against veteran Kevin Rose who was coming off a KO win over Kevin Ross and had his best win over Carmen Rotolo who was later Aussie champ.. Noel was as good as younger brother Greg but he was handy

[Pudge]

Greg was good to take Steve Aczel the ten round distance. He was a small light heavyweight and could make super middleweight

[Brute]

Greg used to come down to Sydney to spar with boxers at Bernie Hall's gym. I once asked him why he moved up to light heavyweight when he could still make 11 stone six. He told me that he was sick of fighting Bernie Hourigan.

[Pudge]

Greg sparred Charkey Ramon in New Caledonia when they were there to fight. Charkey was booked to fight Emile Griffith for a $30,000 pay day big money in the 1970’s. Griffith couldn’t get to New Caledonia so promoter Phillip Godard asked Ramon’s trainer and manager would he fight Manuel Fierro for $7000. Ramon declined the offer but later stopped Fierro in Brisbane where Reg Layton paid him $25,000. Greg said he had good tough sparring with Charkey

[Brute]

Did he tell you how Charkey knocked him through the ropes in a sparring session? Charkey was not keen on backing off even in a spar. Hard as nails.