BoxRec

A mate of mine had a go in the Brophy tent a couple of weeks ago. He didn't say whether he won or lost. But I know it went the distance. He is two parts crazy and doesn't take a backward step so I wish I had been there to see it.

Read about this lot a bit back, kinda like the last boxing booth left in the world or something, interesting

littlepug wrote:Read about this lot a bit back, kinda like the last boxing booth left in the world or something, interesting

I think it is the last one. Brophy had all but retired a few years ago. But he is back at it again. My mate said nobody even wore mouth guards. They just got stuck in and flailed away. Great Aussie tradition the tent fighting.

Redback Rasta wrote:

littlepug wrote:Read about this lot a bit back, kinda like the last boxing booth left in the world or something, interesting

I think it is the last one. Brophy had all but retired a few years ago. But he is back at it again. My mate said nobody even wore mouth guards. They just got stuck in and flailed away. Great Aussie tradition the tent fighting.

Last of its kind, shame it has to end but I suppose everything has a shelf life

Years ago when I was younger and sillier I was really keen to have a go in the tent. Some belated maturity might have put pay to that idea

If it ever comes out my way id love to go for a gander... but not participate lol....

Brophey had said the insurance costs had become so high he was basically forced to close down his troupe... so surprised to see him back.... best of luck to him.... hopefully he can keep it going for a couple more years yet....

littlepug wrote:

Redback Rasta wrote:

littlepug wrote:Read about this lot a bit back, kinda like the last boxing booth left in the world or something, interesting

I think it is the last one. Brophy had all but retired a few years ago. But he is back at it again. My mate said nobody even wore mouth guards. They just got stuck in and flailed away. Great Aussie tradition the tent fighting.

Last of its kind, shame it has to end but I suppose everything has a shelf life

It doesn't look like it will end while Brophy still has blood running through his veins.

Tinnie wrote:If it ever comes out my way id love to go for a gander... but not participate lol....

Brophey had said the insurance costs had become so high he was basically forced to close down his troupe... so surprised to see him back.... best of luck to him.... hopefully he can keep it going for a couple more years yet....

Pretty sure Brophy is limited to where he can set up because of licensing and insurance issues. In some states I think tent boxing is actually banned.

Redback Rasta wrote:

Tinnie wrote:If it ever comes out my way id love to go for a gander... but not participate lol....

Brophey had said the insurance costs had become so high he was basically forced to close down his troupe... so surprised to see him back.... best of luck to him.... hopefully he can keep it going for a couple more years yet....

Pretty sure Brophy is limited to where he can set up because of licensing and insurance issues. In some states I think tent boxing is actually banned.

Ahh yeah that does ring a bell now

Early days Brophy was able to set up most places that had carnival or show on. But over the years things tightened up and various states completely banned tent boxing.

Brophy found Queensland the easiest state to get along with. But after a while even they tightened things up a bit and Brophy used to have to apply for a permit to put his shows on.

Brophy was doing a show somewhere in Queensland years ago when a cop visited his tent requesting to see his permit. When Brophy told him he didn't have one the cop told him to go to the local police station and apply for one. At this point Brophy thought he was screwed, thinking they wouldn't grant him a permit.

But old Fred lucked in big time when a young desk cop wrote him a permit without writing an expiry date on it. Brophy kept that piece of paper in his wallet for years to come. It was his golden ticket and the show went on. I wouldn't might betting he still has it.

I had 2 fights in Brophys Tent. Both draws against Fred's boys. Then I went to Moura and had a couple of fights for Fred. It's great fun punching on in the tent.

fox wrote:I had 2 fights in Brophys Tent. Both draws against Fred's boys. Then I went to Moura and had a couple of fights for Fred. It's great fun punching on in the tent.

Did you think you should have won either of those fights?

It is pretty hard to get the win if you are out of the crowd because then Brophy has to pay you.

What was the experience like? Tell us the story mate. Love to hear it

Like a Boss wrote:

fox wrote:I had 2 fights in Brophys Tent. Both draws against Fred's boys. Then I went to Moura and had a couple of fights for Fred. It's great fun punching on in the tent.

Did you think you should have won either of those fights?

It is pretty hard to get the win if you are out of the crowd because then Brophy has to pay you.

What was the experience like? Tell us the story mate. Love to hear it

The first fight was a tag team match against Jimmy Shannon and James Ellis. I wasn't real fit and 3 parts pissed. The 2nd time was just against Jimmy. I thought I done enough to win that one. I travelled with Jimmy to Moura when I fought for Fred. I'm fighting Jimmy again in a month. Just a amateur masters fight. Had a ball fighting in the tent. I was one of the many White Lightnings that Fred has had over the years. White Lightning from Rush Cutters Bay in NSW I was billed as. Haha.

fox wrote:

Like a Boss wrote:

fox wrote:I had 2 fights in Brophys Tent. Both draws against Fred's boys. Then I went to Moura and had a couple of fights for Fred. It's great fun punching on in the tent.

Did you think you should have won either of those fights?

It is pretty hard to get the win if you are out of the crowd because then Brophy has to pay you.

What was the experience like? Tell us the story mate. Love to hear it

The first fight was a tag team match against Jimmy Shannon and James Ellis. I wasn't real fit and 3 parts pissed. The 2nd time was just against Jimmy. I thought I done enough to win that one. I travelled with Jimmy to Moura when I fought for Fred. I'm fighting Jimmy again in a month. Just a amateur masters fight. Had a ball fighting in the tent. I was one of the many White Lightnings that Fred has had over the years. White Lightning from Rush Cutters Bay in NSW I was billed as. Haha.

Quality story. Great memories I bet.

Did Fred have much to say to his fighters? Was he a good bloke to travel with and fight for?

fox wrote:

Like a Boss wrote:

fox wrote:I had 2 fights in Brophys Tent. Both draws against Fred's boys. Then I went to Moura and had a couple of fights for Fred. It's great fun punching on in the tent.

Did you think you should have won either of those fights?

It is pretty hard to get the win if you are out of the crowd because then Brophy has to pay you.

What was the experience like? Tell us the story mate. Love to hear it

The first fight was a tag team match against Jimmy Shannon and James Ellis. I wasn't real fit and 3 parts pissed. The 2nd time was just against Jimmy. I thought I done enough to win that one. I travelled with Jimmy to Moura when I fought for Fred. I'm fighting Jimmy again in a month. Just a amateur masters fight. Had a ball fighting in the tent. I was one of the many White Lightnings that Fred has had over the years. White Lightning from Rush Cutters Bay in NSW I was billed as. Haha.

I saw James Ellis fight in the ring before he went across and fought for Fred Brophy. He was outgunned and lost. But he put up a game performance and lacked nothing in the willingness stakes. He took plenty of punishment and kept coming forward.

Like a Boss wrote:

fox wrote:

Like a Boss wrote:
Did you think you should have won either of those fights?

It is pretty hard to get the win if you are out of the crowd because then Brophy has to pay you.

What was the experience like? Tell us the story mate. Love to hear it

The first fight was a tag team match against Jimmy Shannon and James Ellis. I wasn't real fit and 3 parts pissed. The 2nd time was just against Jimmy. I thought I done enough to win that one. I travelled with Jimmy to Moura when I fought for Fred. I'm fighting Jimmy again in a month. Just a amateur masters fight. Had a ball fighting in the tent. I was one of the many White Lightnings that Fred has had over the years. White Lightning from Rush Cutters Bay in NSW I was billed as. Haha.

Quality story. Great memories I bet.

Did Fred have much to say to his fighters? Was he a good bloke to travel with and fight for?

Fred refs all the fights so never really said anything between rounds but he had his offsiders helping us out. Blair was there that night and I knew him from boxing when we were young fellas. I only had 2 fights that night and pulled the tent down and got a few hundred. Fred booked a motel for us. He is a great bloke and it was an honour to have a crack for his crew.

fox wrote:

Like a Boss wrote:

fox wrote: The first fight was a tag team match against Jimmy Shannon and James Ellis. I wasn't real fit and 3 parts pissed. The 2nd time was just against Jimmy. I thought I done enough to win that one. I travelled with Jimmy to Moura when I fought for Fred. I'm fighting Jimmy again in a month. Just a amateur masters fight. Had a ball fighting in the tent. I was one of the many White Lightnings that Fred has had over the years. White Lightning from Rush Cutters Bay in NSW I was billed as. Haha.

Quality story. Great memories I bet.

Did Fred have much to say to his fighters? Was he a good bloke to travel with and fight for?

Fred refs all the fights so never really said anything between rounds but he had his offsiders helping us out. Blair was there that night and I knew him from boxing when we were young fellas. I only had 2 fights that night and pulled the tent down and got a few hundred. Fred booked a motel for us. He is a great bloke and it was an honour to have a crack for his crew.

Did 'Cowboy' Blair fight? He's Brophy's all time champion. Reputedly something like 1000 fights without a loss. What was he like mate?

Like a Boss wrote:

fox wrote:

Like a Boss wrote:
Quality story. Great memories I bet.

Did Fred have much to say to his fighters? Was he a good bloke to travel with and fight for?

Fred refs all the fights so never really said anything between rounds but he had his offsiders helping us out. Blair was there that night and I knew him from boxing when we were young fellas. I only had 2 fights that night and pulled the tent down and got a few hundred. Fred booked a motel for us. He is a great bloke and it was an honour to have a crack for his crew.

Did 'Cowboy' Blair fight? He's Brophy's all time champion. Reputedly something like 1000 fights without a loss. What was he like mate?

No he didn't fight. He was just there helping out and getting on the piss. He fought my gym mate 3 times when we were young fellas. My mate beat him each time but they were good fights. I think he has a 2-11 record in the pros but fought some good ones including Julian Holland. Pretty handy boxer so he just outboxed the punters in the tent. Good bloke.

Redback Rasta wrote:

fox wrote:

Like a Boss wrote:
Did you think you should have won either of those fights?

It is pretty hard to get the win if you are out of the crowd because then Brophy has to pay you.

What was the experience like? Tell us the story mate. Love to hear it

The first fight was a tag team match against Jimmy Shannon and James Ellis. I wasn't real fit and 3 parts pissed. The 2nd time was just against Jimmy. I thought I done enough to win that one. I travelled with Jimmy to Moura when I fought for Fred. I'm fighting Jimmy again in a month. Just a amateur masters fight. Had a ball fighting in the tent. I was one of the many White Lightnings that Fred has had over the years. White Lightning from Rush Cutters Bay in NSW I was billed as. Haha.

I saw James Ellis fight in the ring before he went across and fought for Fred Brophy. He was outgunned and lost. But he put up a game performance and lacked nothing in the willingness stakes. He took plenty of punishment and kept coming forward.

I watched him fight Alex Leapai in the amateurs. Alex decked him twice in the first round and I thought we were going to have an early one. Got up and outboxed Alex in the last 3 rounds to win the fight.

fox wrote:

Like a Boss wrote:

fox wrote: Fred refs all the fights so never really said anything between rounds but he had his offsiders helping us out. Blair was there that night and I knew him from boxing when we were young fellas. I only had 2 fights that night and pulled the tent down and got a few hundred. Fred booked a motel for us. He is a great bloke and it was an honour to have a crack for his crew.

Did 'Cowboy' Blair fight? He's Brophy's all time champion. Reputedly something like 1000 fights without a loss. What was he like mate?

No he didn't fight. He was just there helping out and getting on the piss. He fought my gym mate 3 times when we were young fellas. My mate beat him each time but they were good fights. I think he has a 2-11 record in the pros but fought some good ones including Julian Holland. Pretty handy boxer so he just outboxed the punters in the tent. Good bloke.

A friend of a friend is a pilot. He flys small aircraft like cessnas. Showed me a selfie he took flying Blair, his brother Col and a couple of others to the Brophy tent somewhere remote. He said they were ripping blokes and absolutely hated a beer.

fox wrote:I had 2 fights in Brophys Tent. Both draws against Fred's boys. Then I went to Moura and had a couple of fights for Fred. It's great fun punching on in the tent.

Yeah, I had a fight in Brophy's tent in '95 at Birdsville, I took on his best boy 'Mandingo' who was apparently undefeated in over 400 bouts and had won every one of his fights by knockout that weekend. I punched the stuffing out of Mandingo and had about a dozen points taken off from "low blows", every body shot I threw. Didn't get the chocolates but didn't pay for another drink for the rest of the trip.

dberry wrote:

fox wrote:I had 2 fights in Brophys Tent. Both draws against Fred's boys. Then I went to Moura and had a couple of fights for Fred. It's great fun punching on in the tent.

Yeah, I had a fight in Brophy's tent in '95 at Birdsville, I took on his best boy 'Mandingo' who was apparently undefeated in over 400 bouts and had won every one of his fights by knockout that weekend. I punched the stuffing out of Mandingo and had about a dozen points taken off from "low blows", every body shot I threw. Didn't get the chocolates but didn't pay for another drink for the rest of the trip.

It is pretty hard to get the chocolates in the tent from what I hear because if you do Fred has to pay you.

Like a Boss wrote:

dberry wrote:

fox wrote:I had 2 fights in Brophys Tent. Both draws against Fred's boys. Then I went to Moura and had a couple of fights for Fred. It's great fun punching on in the tent.

Yeah, I had a fight in Brophy's tent in '95 at Birdsville, I took on his best boy 'Mandingo' who was apparently undefeated in over 400 bouts and had won every one of his fights by knockout that weekend. I punched the stuffing out of Mandingo and had about a dozen points taken off from "low blows", every body shot I threw. Didn't get the chocolates but didn't pay for another drink for the rest of the trip.

It is pretty hard to get the chocolates in the tent from what I hear because if you do Fred has to pay you.

Apparently no more than two per show, but no matter, it's fun, and these blokes do it for a living. Read on the rest of the thread after I posted, great stories from Fox. I sat with Fred Brophy (rather, I invited him to sit with us) when Kolby Johnston fought at Flemington, great bloke.

fox wrote:

Redback Rasta wrote:

fox wrote: The first fight was a tag team match against Jimmy Shannon and James Ellis. I wasn't real fit and 3 parts pissed. The 2nd time was just against Jimmy. I thought I done enough to win that one. I travelled with Jimmy to Moura when I fought for Fred. I'm fighting Jimmy again in a month. Just a amateur masters fight. Had a ball fighting in the tent. I was one of the many White Lightnings that Fred has had over the years. White Lightning from Rush Cutters Bay in NSW I was billed as. Haha.

I saw James Ellis fight in the ring before he went across and fought for Fred Brophy. He was outgunned and lost. But he put up a game performance and lacked nothing in the willingness stakes. He took plenty of punishment and kept coming forward.

I watched him fight Alex Leapai in the amateurs. Alex decked him twice in the first round and I thought we were going to have an early one. Got up and outboxed Alex in the last 3 rounds to win the fight.

Decent win that. Not sure how Leapai's amateur numbers stacked up, But I know his pro debut against de Mori, who had already had a handful of pro fights, was very impressive.