Mr Ron Richards

Ranold Randell ‘Ron’ Richards was an Aboriginal professional boxer who in his prime in the `1930s was one of the most feared fighters in the country.

Emerging from humble beginnings in Ipswich, he forged a career highlighted by three Australian titles in the middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, a Commonwealth middleweight title and induction to the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.

So popular was his counter-punching style that he enjoyed a cult following. But he was more than just an entertainer. He was a serious contender for a world title throughout a career that included 34 wins in 50 fights against fancied overseas opponents, and 142 recorded fights in total.

In 1938 he scored a round one knocked out win over Ray Actis, the No.2 contender for the world light heavyweight crown, and took a 12-round points decision over Gus Lesnevitch, who three years later won the same title and held it for eight years. Sadly, for reasons not of his own doing, Richards was denied the opportunities overseas that his reputation deserved and his skill warranted.

He died penniless in 1967, aged 56, His personal demise became an often told story, but there is no denying the wonderful trailblazing role he played for many indigenous fighters who followed, including Lionel Rose, Tony Mundine, Anthony Mundine and Daniel Geale.