The family of Dave Sands has given the ABC permission to use photographs of him. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article also contains images and names of other people who have died.
Indigenous boxer Dave Sands was raised at Burnt Bridge Mission on the NSW Mid North Coast and from humble beginnings went on to become an Australian boxing legend, rising to remarkable success in the 1940s and 50s.
His family is striving to keep his story alive and now, many decades later, say a "wrong has been set right".
A Dunghutti man, born Dave Ritchie, Sands hailed from one of Australia's greatest sporting families. His brothers, Clem, Percy, George, Alfie and Russell were also all highly successful boxers who came to be known as "The Fighting Sands".
Sands emerged as a rising star and went from success to success before his tragic death in a motoring accident at Dungog in 1952 at age 26.
He held three national titles at once, in the middle, light-heavy and heavyweight divisions, and also the Australasian light heavyweight title.
Sands also achieved great success overseas, defeating Englishman Dick Turpin to win the British Empire Middleweight Championship in 1949.
Long overdue recognition for boxing 'hero'
At that time, champions were usually given their own belt to keep, but after winning the British Championship, Sands didn't receive one — the exact reason is unclear.
Now, 73 years later, he has finally received full recognition for the achievement.
The Commonwealth Boxing Council has sent over a replica Commonwealth Championship Belt to recognise Sands' achievement.
The belt was recently presented to his relatives in the NSW parliament, including his nephew Phillip Dotti and grandson Chad Ritchie.
"It also gives a platform for young Aboriginal boxers to really look at something they can achieve."
Mr Ritchie said his grandfather's achievements had also inspired him throughout his life.
"Growing up, I heard stories from the family about how great my grandfather was, not just as a boxer but as a person as well, as a family man.
"It gives me belief that, not just in sport but in life itself, if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything … and that's something I've always been proud of.
The presentation of the replica belt came after a long-term quest by Mr Dotti to set things straight.
Mr Dotti said he eventually contacted British boxing authorities, who were "very cooperative".
"Sands was the first Aboriginal [person] to go overseas and win a boxing title and come back with that title. But [he] was never given the full recognition of such a feat," Mr Dotti said.
Before Sands died, negotiations to challenge world champion Sugar Ray Robinson had begun.
"He was ranked number one contender for Sugar Ray Robinson's middleweight world title back then," Mr Ritchie said.
"And Sugar Ray Robinson is considered the number one boxer ever, so to be number one behind him at 26 years of age is something not many people will achieve."
Boxing legend to be honoured in home town
Sands was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998, and his family wants to keep the memory of his achievements alive in Australia.
Mr Dotti said he hoped to arrange a display at some point of the replica belt and other boxing memorabilia of Sands in his home town of Kempsey.
The Kempsey Shire Council is also working with the family to create an "ongoing and suitable local commemoration" for Sands, and his champion brothers, and is considering a bust or statue.
Mr Ritchie said the recognition in Kempsey was "long overdue".
"We are talking about an Aboriginal family back in the 1940s when times were tough, " he said.
"You weren't able to leave the mission without permission … and to be able to do what they did is something no other family has achieved yet," he said.
