Rocky Gattellari

Born in southern Italy Rocky Gattellari moved to Australia where he became a boxer, businessman, and a political candidate. Gattellari’s amateur boxing career began in the early 1960s as a flyweight, with him eventually being selected to represent Australia at the 1960 Roma Olympics. After victory against Abdel Kader Belghiti he then lost to the eventual gold medallist Gyula Török of Hungary.

Shortly after the Olympics Gattellari made his professional début in September 1961 and became the Australian flyweight champion in February 1962. He remained undefeated throughout his first 16 fights as a professional, including two successful title defences. Gattellari’s first loss came in December 1965 when defending his title against Salvatore Burruni. Two years later Gattellari lost by knockout in the 13th round in a fight for the Australian bantamweight title against Lionel Rose. Gattellari retired in 1968 with a professional record of 21 wins (12 by knockout), three losses, and a draw.

After his boxing career Gattellari worked as a restaurateur opening two businesses in New South Wales and later worked as a successful finance broker. In 1995 Gattellari stood as the Liberal candidate for Cabramatta in the New South Wales state election but lost to the Labour incumbent. In 1989 Gattellari published his autobiography The Rocky Road. He was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.