Vale Lionel Rose

[Ford Fairlane]

Former world bantamweight champion Lionel Rose has passed away aged 62.

Lionel Rose won the world bantamweight title in 1968 defeating Fighting Harada in a 15 round points decision in Tokyo. Rose made history by becoming the first Aboriginal to be a world champion boxer.

Lionel was awarded Australian of the Year in 1968.

Lionel Rose dies aged 62.

 

[Quadzilla]

RIP Lionel

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Yep RIP Lionel.

He was on the Marngrook Footy Show's debut on ABC2 before Rd 1 this year. He looked pretty frail as you can see in the photo linked below and his carer did all the talking.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=8136209&id=306946722602

Rudd talked about closing the 17 year life expectancy gap between black and white Australia. Unfortunately Lionel missed out.

I will remember the black and white movies of his couple of world championship fights, but now for me, my memory of Lionel thanks to Roy and HG is him singing, "I Thank You" with the opening lyrics "When a boy becomes a man..." Roy and HG always played that as the national anthem when it was played before state of origin games or AFL or NRL grand finals.

[YOUTUBE]Ku_vvw9tRwc[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Eddie Dingle]

Sad passing of a great Australian.

A champion in the true sense of the word. It would be nice if a few others in the sporting world had learned a few lessons in humility and sportsmanship from him.

RIP Lionel Rose.

"I Thank You"

 

[Asgardian]

They used to show films of Lionel's bouts at Legacy.

A real champion, RIP

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Warrior of the ring dies at 62

Some good background on Lionel in this article.

v Fighting Harada

at his public reception in Melbourne after winning the world title

 

[Toots Hibbert]

Rest in peace Lionel. Still remember the jubilation when he returned from defeating Harada in Japan. Also took a stand on behalf of his people and was a pioneer in our country against apartheid in South Africa.

Nice article that Ford has linked.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

The Victorian Premier has confirmed a State Funeral for Lionel Rose.