Australian Aboriginal boxer Lionel Rose dies at 62
Lionel Rose, 62, the first Australian Aborigine to win a world boxing title, died Sunday near Melbourne after being ill for several months, his family said. He had a stroke in 2007 that left him partially paralyzed.
Rose beat Japan's Masahiko "Fighting" Harada in Tokyo in February 1968 to win the world bantamweight title.
In December of that year at the Inglewood Forum, Rose was declared the victor in a split decision over Mexico's Chucho Castillo, and an unruly mob among the 15,287 spectators rioted and threw bottles and other debris into the ring.
Rose was named Australian of the year after his world title victory, becoming the first Aborigine to receive the honor. He also was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire and finished his career with 42 wins, 12 by knockout, in 53 fights.
-- Associated Press
Photo: Lionel Rose in 1968. Credit: Associated Press
"...Rose was declared the victor in a split decision over Mexico's Chucho Castillo, and an unruly mob among the 15,287 spectators rioted and threw bottles and other debris into the ring..."
Safe to say the mob wasn't Australian - which would leave who - Dodgers fans?
Posted by: Dingo_ate_my_greencard | 05/08/2011 at 06:27 PM
RIP Lionel.
Posted by: GH | 05/08/2011 at 07:26 PM
I saw the fight with Olivares at the Los Angeles Forum when I was a teen. I also saw the fight when Rose beat Chucho Castillo. Lionel Rose was a classy fighter, a champion during the golden age of the bantam weights. He'll be long remembered by fight fans from the era.
Posted by: IAN | 05/08/2011 at 07:38 PM
Lionel Rose was a living legend and a pioneer and he will be missed...all the best to his family & the many whose lives he touched.
Posted by: Verballistic | 05/08/2011 at 10:12 PM
On behalf of Aboriginal peoples who's custom is not to view any photo's, or images of a dead fellow, I send my condolances for the lose of this great fighter who grew up with great adversity; his Father would pad his hand and wrap barb wire around them and have him hit the pole. Australians are calling for a State funeral to honor this man who won at life and died a rare Champion.
Posted by: RH | 05/08/2011 at 11:05 PM