THE folklore surrounding Fred Brophy is about as fair-dinkum-Aussie as it comes.
The son of a shellshocked World War II sideshow operator father and trapeze artist mother, Brophy was introduced to boxing at the age of four by uncle Shelby Moore, who himself owned a boxing tent.
Brophy’s younger years were spent travelling from town to town where he would help pitch the tent and then box the other children for pennies before the adult bouts began.
His keenness to fight meant a troubled adolescence but his dreams of owning his own travelling boxing show came true at the age of 25, when he bought the Brophy boxing business from cousin, Alan Moore.
Ever since, his boxers have travelled Queensland fighting the locals in boxing tents at whichever township will have them.
The Boxing Troupe is a relic of a time when unruly frontier traditions like the travelling show provided a small town’s blockbuster entertainment for the weekend.
For some, the demise of these freewheeling shows is a sign of progress; for others, it is another step towards losing forever the Outback way of life.
Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe is the last surviving fight club of its type in the world.
It is outlawed in every state except Queensland; in fact, it seems it is now harder than ever to get punched in the face in Australia (unless of course you live in Caboolture).
When the drum starts banging and the bells start ringing, you know the Boxing Troupe has rolled into town.
Brophy is again putting out the call to curious challengers, this time the Troupe is appearing at the Walloon Hotel next month.
Winning boxers will get paid for their trouble, while losers get a sticker and a bruised ego.
Hotel landlord Stewart Gibson said there have been no shortage of challengers willing to jump in the ring at the pub tent during past visits.
“It’s not a blood and guts event,” Mr Gibson said.
“Brophy matches his fighters to the punters.
“The idea is that it is a laugh; his boxers will punch with one hand behind their back to make a real show of it.”
Mr Gibson said he had seen young and old don their gloves and if the ladies are game, Beaver Brophy is there waiting for them as well.
Beaver, or Brettlyn Neal as she was formally known, has been traveling with Brophy for more than a decade.
She got her start with him at the Birdsville Races after working as security at the pub.
“She’s got hairs on her legs that would spear a rat,” Mr Gibson said.
“If the females don’t fancy their chances, Beaver is more than happy to take on the blokes too.
“The Boxing Troupe is just good old fashioned bush boxing fun.
“Come down, get in the tent, let some steam off, and have a beer with each other afterwards.”
Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe, Walloon Hotel, Queen Street, May 24-25.
