In the early 20th century, Aboriginal boxers made up a disproportionate 15 per cent of national boxing champions.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images and names of people who have died.

In 1912, Jerry Jerome, a Yiman man born at Jimbour Station in Queensland, defeated Charlie Godfrey to claim the national middleweight championship.

In claiming victory, he became the first Indigenous Australian to win a major boxing title.

Since then, Lionel Rose, Anthony Mundine Jr, Hector Thompson, Dave Sands, Tony Mundine, Robbie Pedan, and more recently Paul Fleming have all left an indelible mark on the sport.

Perhaps the most significant moment in Aboriginal boxing history was Lionel Rose’s 1968 win over Japan’s Fighting Harada to claim the bantamweight world title.

Rose became the first Indigenous Australian to win a world title, and he was subsequently Australian of the Year. 

Now, a new generation of Indigenous fighters are lacing up the gloves and looking to emulate the achievements of their elders who broke down barriers in the sport.

Alex Winwood 

Alex Winwood is the grandson of celebrated Indigenous artist Primus Ugle.

He took up boxing at the age of 15 and went on to become a successful amateur, representing Australia at the 2019 World Championships, 2020 Olympics and 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“I got to compete on the biggest stage in sports surrounded by the world’s best athletes,” Winwood said.

Winwood claimed his third professional victory earlier this year in Perth, defeating world number five Reyneris Gutierrez via unanimous decision.

The win saw him claim the WBC international strawweight title and secure world rankings across three sanctioning bodies, including number two with the World Boxing Council (WBC).

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Winwood has positioned himself behind Mexican fighter Luis Castillo on the list of challengers to interim champion Yudai Shigeoka and world champion Panya Pradabsri.

He now has his eyes set on becoming the fastest Australian to claim a boxing world title, hoping to emulate the achievements of Aboriginal sporting icons Cathy Freeman and Anthony Mundine.

“She [Freeman] carried a nation on her shoulders in competition and he [Mundine] to us young Indigenous Australians was a black super man as he did what many thought was impossible,” Winwood said. 

Winwood will edge closer to a world title shot when he returns to the ring in his next fight, expected to take place in December. 

“I hope to bring a great fight that excites all the crowd and fans,” he said.

Dana Coolwell

Dana “Deadly” Coolwell is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in Australian boxing, but his journey through the ranks has been far from easy.

“Growing up seeing domestic violence, drugs and alcohol from a young age and also losing my father at the age of 13, I was quite lost and running a bit amok,” Coolwell said.

Coolwell challenged unbeaten Venezuelan Ender Luces for a youth world title in 2022.

He narrowly lost the bout via majority point decision, but said the experience had left him well-placed to achieve his lofty ambitions in the sport. 

“I want to be a world champion. Undisputed,” he said.

In his latest outing, Coolwell continued his evolution as a fighter, claiming his first regional belt — the WBA Oceania featherweight title with a win over Angelo Beltran in Queensland.

That resulted in Coolwell capturing a world ranking, an achievement he credits to his long-term trainer, Steve Pitt.

“My biggest influence would have to be my coach. Without him I wouldn’t be who I am today or on this journey to a world champion,” Coolwell said.

Nathaniel May

Nathaniel May was once considered one of Australia’s best featherweights, having risen up the domestic ranks with a series of impressive wins.

In that time, he was able to capture the WBO Asia Pacific featherweight belt. 

He has also fought for the IBF European title in England against James Dickens and the IBF international title against Bruno Tarimo.