Dave Sands becomes champion boxer

May. Dave Sands becomes champion boxer. Dave Sands (born Kempsey 1926 to George Ritchie, rodeo-rider, timber cutter and bare knuckle fighter of mixed Aboriginal descent and Mabel nee Russell his Aboriginal wife) moves with his brothers to Newcastle to train with boxing tutor Tom Maguire. At this time, Dave defeats Jack Kirkham for the Australian middleweight boxing title. Three months later he knocks out Jack Johnson to become national light-heavyweight champion. (ADB)