RIP Lionel Rose

[Pastrano]

I guess none of you got the news. Lionel Rose, former undisputed bantamweight and the first Indigenous Australian world champion died yesterday, at the age of 62. He was known as a brawler, wasn't a puncher but certainly a battler. He became a champion by beating semi-legendary Fighting Harada in Japan on points. Small feat. He lost the title to legendary Ruben Olivares in his 4th defense, by KO5. Rest in peace Lionel.

[BigStereotype]

I heard about that, but forgot to make the thread. Sad news, especially because he wasn't all that old.

[Pastrano]

I heard about that, but forgot to make the thread. Sad news, especially because he wasn't all that old.

Yeah...I remember watching a tv series about his life, mini-series. He had alcohol problems after his career ended, but he cleaned up I seem to remember...at the end. Maybe he started again. Really sad, if thats the reason. He has a special place in history, being the first and only 100% Aborigin to become a world champion. And he knew he was gonna achieve that, at least according to the series.

[Barn]

R.I.P to a very good fighter.

Strange how some die young, yet others like Basilio live very long lives.

[Pastrano]

R.I.P to a very good fighter.

Strange how some die young, yet others like Basilio live very long lives.

But if anyone deserves to live long, it must be Basilio. He was some man, or is. Nobody had the guts to stand up to the mafia back then, nobody but he.

[NChristo]

Heard about it on Saturday, what a **** week for boxing, first Henry and then Rose.

Wouldn't say he was a brawler, I always seen him as a counter puncher.

R.I.P Lionel, legend.

[NChristo]

R.I.P to a very good fighter.

Strange how some die young, yet others like Basilio live very long lives.

Off topic, but does anyone know if Elmer Ray is still alive ?, BoxRec doesn't list him as passed and I can't find any newspaper clips saying anything, if so he'd be 99 this year.

[Barn]

Off topic, but does anyone know if Elmer Ray is still alive ?, BoxRec doesn't list him as passed and I can't find any newspaper clips saying anything, if so he'd be 99 this year.

On wikipedia he's in the category "Possibly living people."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Possibly_living_people

[Barn]

But if anyone deserves to live long, it must be Basilio. He was some man, or is. Nobody had the guts to stand up to the mafia back then, nobody but he.

My Favourite fighter along with Frazier and Hagler.

I suggest buying the book on him "The Onion Picker", very good read and supplies information on other boxers at the time.

Also he had some guts.

[mickey malone]

R.I.P to Lionel Rose, thought he was older than that, very sad.