Almanac Nostalgia: When boxing was king
Citrus Bob Utber knows well nostalgia and history are part of life. Old photos and their context interest him immensley
WHEN BOXING WAS KING
As you do when you pass the age of saying ‘yes’ I was rummaging through boxes of ‘stuff’ when I found this photograph. Unfortunately it is a photograph of a photograph so is not the greatest Max Dupain impersonation.
The photo depicts a boxing match at the Trades Hall in Broken Hill where a permanent boxing ring called The Stadium was installed. The photo needs little explanation as ‘a picture says one thousand words’.
The Cornish population of Broken Hill held fast to many of their traditional activities and boxing and wrestling were the two main sports.
Nearly all boxing and wrestling events held at The Stadium attracted record crowds. Apparently if you wanted ringside seats you had to ring the promoter during the week, certainly not shades of tickertex.
The photo depicts Bobby Blay and Tommy Crowle battling it out for the featherweight championship of Australia. Blay, a Victorian spent three months in Broken Hill preparing for the event, shades of Rory at Augusta, and became the local hero even before the two boxers entered the ring on March 8th 1930.
Blay won an epic bout on points and over the next three years became one of the most popular fighters in Australia. Patrons flocked to see his bouts. He retired in November 1933 and was given a benefit by the National Boxing Association at Rushcutters Bay Stadium.
More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.
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About Bob Utber
At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named 'Chloe on Flinders' and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
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