Lester Ellis, former world champion, will be at Murray Thomson’s Fighters Factory in Blackburn

Later this week, the Fighters Factory in Blackburn will host former IBF Junior Lightweight champion Lester Ellis.

Lester Ellis claims the Commonwealth light welterweight title Picture: Ray Titus

Boxing in the Eastern suburbs has flourished over the past decade, with Murray Thomson, owner of Blackburn’s Fighters Factory, helping hundreds of young hopefuls get fit and learn the sweet science.

Offering a change of pace, Thomson is doing things differently these days and this time it doesn’t involve sweat, tears and a lot of hard work.

On August 31, the Fighters Factory will host former IBF Junior Lightweight champion Lester Ellis who will tell his story about the rise to being world champion.

Ellis’s won the world title in 1985 against Korean Ywan Kil Yu and lost it later that same year to Melburnian Barry Michael in one of Australia’s most famous fights.

Suburban boxing legend Murray Thomson

Though his personal issues away from the ring have been well documented Ellis is fondly remembered as one of Australian best boxers.

“He has a really good story to tell and I don’t think you need to be into the sport of boxing to learn something from Lester Ellis, what he achieved is relative to any sport,” Thomson said.

“Lester was a gifted fighter no doubt and really I think you have to rank him up there with the best there has ever been in Australia.

“He had a lot of courage and was an individual that bought a lot of excitement to his sport.”

An evening with Lester Ellis kicks off at the Fighters Factory Gym in Blackburn at 7.30pm. Tickets available at the door.