Rocky Gattellari
Encyclopedia
Rocco "Rocky" Gattellari (born 6 September 1941) is an Australian former boxer, Olympian, political candidate and businessman.
in Rome, Italy. He defeated Abdelkader Belghiti from Morocco before losing to eventual gold medalist Gyula Török
from Hungary.
championship title, which he defended twice.
On 2 December 1965 he contested the WBC
flyweight world title, losing to Salvatore Burruni
in the 13th round. On 11 December 1967 Gattellari fought Lionel Rose
for the Australian bantamweight
title, losing by a knockout in the 13th round. He retired in 1968.
Gattellari made a comeback in 1979, fighting Paul Ferreri for the Australian featherweight
title. He lost by a TKO in the 3rd round.
Gattellari retired with a professional record of 21 wins (12 by knockout), three losses (all knockouts) and one draw.
and then Rocky's at Edgecliff
. He went on to become a finance broker.
Gattellari contested the New South Wales state election, 1995
as a Liberal candidate for Cabramatta
. He was defeated by Labor incumbent Reba Meagher
. Meagher sought an apprehended violence order against Gattellari when he used colourful language to describe his intention to defeat her.
Olympic Games
Gattellari was selected in the Australian team for the 1960 Summer Olympics1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
in Rome, Italy. He defeated Abdelkader Belghiti from Morocco before losing to eventual gold medalist Gyula Török
Gyula Török
Gyula Török is a former boxer from Hungary.-Amateur career:Török won the Olympic Flyweight gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games for Hungary. His results were:*Quarterfinal - Defeated Miguel Angel Botta 5-0...
from Hungary.
Professional career
Gattellari made his professional debut on 18 September 1961. On 26 February 1962 he won the Australian flyweightFlyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
championship title, which he defended twice.
On 2 December 1965 he contested the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
flyweight world title, losing to Salvatore Burruni
Salvatore Burruni
Salvatore Burruni , was an Italian flyweight and bantamweight boxer who fought between 1957 to 1969. Burruni was born in Alghero , and fought mostly in Europe.-Amateur career:...
in the 13th round. On 11 December 1967 Gattellari fought Lionel Rose
Lionel Rose
Lionel Edmund Rose MBE was an Australian bantamweight boxer, the first Indigenous Australian to win a world title.-Early life:...
for the Australian bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
title, losing by a knockout in the 13th round. He retired in 1968.
Gattellari made a comeback in 1979, fighting Paul Ferreri for the Australian featherweight
Featherweight
Featherweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. There are similarly named divisions under several Mixed Martial Arts organizations and in Greco-Roman wrestling.-Professional boxing:...
title. He lost by a TKO in the 3rd round.
Gattellari retired with a professional record of 21 wins (12 by knockout), three losses (all knockouts) and one draw.
Retirement
Upon retirement Gattellari became a restaurateur, opening Berowra Waters InnBerowra Waters Inn
Berowra Waters Inn is a restaurant located at Berowra Waters along the Hawkesbury River in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, 50 minutes from downtown Sydney, Australia. It is unique due to its being accessed only by private ferry and being one of architect Glenn Murcutt's only venues regularly open...
and then Rocky's at Edgecliff
Edgecliff
Edgecliff may refer to:* Edgecliff , historic building* Edgecliff College* Edgecliff Village, Texas* Edgecliff, New South Wales...
. He went on to become a finance broker.
Gattellari contested the New South Wales state election, 1995
New South Wales state election, 1995
Elections to the 51st Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday 25 March 1995. All seats in the Legislative Assembly and half the seats in the Legislative Council were up for election. The minority Liberal Party of Australia-led Coalition government of Premier John Fahey was defeated by...
as a Liberal candidate for Cabramatta
Electoral district of Cabramatta
Cabramatta is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a 19.82 km² urban electorate in Sydney's south-west, centred on the suburb of Cabramatta from which it takes its name. It also includes the suburbs of Bonnyrigg, Bonnyrigg Heights,...
. He was defeated by Labor incumbent Reba Meagher
Reba Meagher
Reba Paige Meagher is a former Australian politician who was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, representing the electoral district of Cabramatta. She was a minister in various portfolios from 2003 to 2008. On 6 September 2008 Meagher announced that she would not be seeking a...
. Meagher sought an apprehended violence order against Gattellari when he used colourful language to describe his intention to defeat her.