David Gyngell
David Gyngell (C), former Channel Nine CEO and godson of Australian businessman Kerry Packer, arrives at Packer's state memorial at the Sydney Opera House February 17, 2006. Packer, who was Australia's richest man, died on December 26, 2005 and even in death, Packer continued to stir divisive emotions on Friday as mourners and protesters gathered for a state memorial service at the Sydney Opera House. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne REUTERS/Tim Wimborne

The infamous Bondi brawl of Australian billionaire James Packer and media mogul David Gyngell had shocked the whole nation in 2014. Never have they expected that the two wealthy friends would physically take down each other in public. Gyngell’s wife Leila McKinnon was concerned about that incident as well, but not for a reason one might think.

Packer and the Nine Entertainment Group CEO got in a brutal fist fight on the street in Bondi on May 4, 2014. According to numerous reports, Gyngell had been waiting outside Packer’s beach pad for him, then confronted his childhood friend when Packer arrived by car. The two were then seen in aggressively wrestling before falling to the ground. They had to be separated by bodyguards.

Photographs of the duo’s bust-up quickly spread online, giving rise to several speculations about the reason for their fight. There were reports claiming the two fought over Packer’s alleged romantic relationship with supermodel Miranda Kerr, while others said Packer was furious when a Nine Network news van was seen parked near his home. In the photos, Gyngell was looking unusually dishevelled, a far cry from his normal immaculate style of suits and ties.

His wife was concerned for him that day, but over a different reason. McKinnon, who gave birth to her second child just a few weeks after her husband’s brawl, thought Gyngell could have dressed up more nicely to the occasion.

“I do wish he’d worn shoes,” she told Australian Women’s Weekly. She added, “He’s actually got some really nice clothes. Sometimes, when we are out and he is wearing his good clothes, I jokingly dare him to pick a fight with another billionaire so we can even up the ledger.”

As a journalist herself, McKinnon admitted that she could see Gyngell and Packer’s very public scuffle as a “great story.” However, she had said no more about it.

Both Gyngell and Packer had released a statement about the incident, refusing to divulge the reason for their fight. Gyngell, who was the best man to Packer at his wedding to now-ex-wife Erica Baxter in 2007, later on released a statement, admitting that he was the “instigator” of the incident. They were both fined $500 each for offensive behaviour.

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