Benny\’s beat
ALL my life I’ve heard people bag my sport, boxing – its too violent, terrible to watch, and no good for you.
They may be right but let me tell you how boxing changed the world of Australian woman’s swimming. In 1908 a bloke better known as a used car salesman, pie seller, bakers boy and waiter took a gamble and helped Dawn Fraser, Stephanie Rice, and many others achieve their dream.
A Sydney raconteur Hugh McIntosh financed and refereed the World Heavyweight title bout between Champion Tommy Burns and Jack Johnson.
It was a major step for McIntosh but he need not have worried as 20,000 gathered to watch the fight at the old Sydney stadium.
Johnson smashed the champion into submission by the 14th round, and history was made with the first black title holder.
Over the next few years McIntosh became legendary for his generosity and extravagance in supporting hospitals and charities in raising funds. His wife at the time was the president of the New South Wales swimming association.
And believe it or not, woman were not allowed to swim in the ocean between 6am and 6pm daily.
Their swim-suit was from neck to knee and they weren’t allowed to compete at the Olympics Games. OK, so here come two young water stars of that day Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie who were both swimming faster times then the rest of the world.
Their rivalry probably matched that of Thorpe and Hackett of our present era, but they were not allowed to compete at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, unless they paid their own way by ship to represent their country.
You guessed it, a word in his ear from his wife and along comes Mr McIntosh to help raise the funds to help start the Olympic journey that has contined for the last 100 years.
Durack and Wylie dominated their events at the games in world record times.
Fanny went on to win the 100 freestyle and break 12 world records, during her career. I am sure Dawn has a similar story to tell for the pathway to her success and surely there was a Mr McIntosh in the background.
No doubt her good mate John Singleton has put his hand in his pocket to the help Balmain whiz over the years. Funny, John doesn’t mind the fights as well, and has good mates like Johnny Lewis, Jeff Fenech and Tony Mundine.
Noosa’s own freestyle gold medalist Brittany Elmslie is as tough as most fighters, making decisions to hopefully embellish her career. Her bold move two years ago to leave Brisbane and change coaches has certainly paid dividends.
Olympic gold in London 2012, maybe gold again at Glasgow next month. Whatever happens, Brittany can thank Hugh McIntosh all those years ago after copping an earful from his wife and hustling funds to help start a dynasty of Australian women’s victories at the Olympic Games.
Who said boxing was a bad sport.
Until next time.
