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.
“I think as an Australian I upheld our country’s ethics and integrity and showed our sporting pride.”
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.
“Boxing helped me by giving me purpose and a goal in life.”
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.
Although he came up short in those bouts, May is looking to bounce back and could surprise up and coming contenders who may overlook him.
A Noongar man born in Bunbury, Western Australia, May says the influence of his uncles Lewis and Neville Jetta — both AFL players — inspired him to chase a sporting career.
“When I feel down and need motivation I think of my family and culture and it gets me back to where I need to be,” he said.
“Growing up I looked up to them and it’s a privilege to have such great role models.”
He also credits Aboriginal boxing icon Lionel Rose and modern day great Paul Fleming for his achievements in the ring.
May will make his much-anticipated return against Jackson Jon England on Sunday at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Albert Nolan
Albert Nolan was born in Gunnedah, in north-west New South Wales.
In late 2022, he challenged Daniel Carr — the grandson of Aboriginal boxing legend Wally Carr — for the Australian super-featherweight title.
The fight ended in a split decision draw but was historic in the fact that two Indigenous boxers were fighting for the Australian championship.
Nolan’s latest appearance was a stunning upset win over the highly touted Vegas Larfield in one of the most exciting all-Australian fights in recent memory.
Nolan retained the WBC Australasian featherweight title.
Shanell Dargan
Shanell Dargan burst onto the Australian boxing scene with an action-packed performance against Ashleigh Sims in April 2022.
A Wiradjuri and Mununjali woman, Dargan took up the sport as a way to find strength after experiencing domestic violence.
“I wanted something that would help me both physically and mentally as I was going down a pretty bad depression at the time,” Dargan said.
Dargan hopes to become Australia’s first Indigenous female boxing world champion.
“I want to inspire other young Indigenous girls like me to believe that they can become boxers and achieve amazing things in the sport if they put their mind to it and work hard,” Dargan said.
She is set to fight Palawa boxer Amber Amelia on the undercard of Tim Tszyu’s WBO super-welterweight world title fight against interim WBC champion Brian Mendoza.
The event, set to take place at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre on Sunday, is to be promoted by Aboriginal owned and operated promotional company No Limit Boxing.
“This event is going to be insane. It could be the last time we see Tim Tszyu fight in Australia,” No Limit Boxing chief executive George Rose said.