Bantamweight boxer, born in Warragul, Victoria, SE Australia. Inspired by the success of Jimmy Carruthers, and determined to emulate him, he won the world championship in 1968, becoming the first Aborigine to hold a world title. He defeated Britain's Alan Rudkin on points over 15 rounds at Melbourne, in which the Commonwealth title was also at stake, but in 1969 lost his title to Ruben Olivares.
Early life
Rose grew up in hardship, learning to box from his father, Roy, a useful fighter on the tent-show circuit.
At the age of 10, Rose struck up a friendship with a press photographer, Graham Walsh, who encouraged him and bought him his first pair of gloves.
Boxing career
Rose began his professional boxing career on September 9, 1964, outpointing Mario Magriss over eight rounds.
After five wins in a row, on July 23, 1965, he was rematched with Singtong Por Tor, whom Rose had beaten by a 12-round decision. Por Tor inflicted Rose's first defeat, beating him on points in six rounds. Then, on October 28, 1966, Rose met Noel Kunde at Melbourne, for the Australian bantamweight title. Rose won the title by defeating Kunde by a fifteen round decision.
He won one more bout in 1966, and eight in 1967 (including a thirteenth round knockout win against Rocky Gattelari to defend his Australian championship) before challenging Fighting Harada for the world's bantamweight title on February 26 of 1968, in Tokyo. Rose made history by becoming the first Aborigine to be a world champion boxer when he defeated Harada in a 15-round decision. Rose beat Castillo by decision, but the points verdict in favour of him infuriated many in the pro-Castillo crowd, and a riot began: 14 fans and fight referee Dick Young were hospitalised for injuries received.
Rose was Australian of the Year in 1968, the first Aborigine to be awarded the honour.
On March 8, 1969, Rose retained the title with a 15-round decision over Alan Rudkin, but five months later he returned to Inglewood, where he faced Ruben Olivares on August 22. Rose lost the world bantamweight title to Olivares via a fifth-round knockout.
Rose continued boxing after his defeat against Olivares, but, after defeats against practically unknown fighters, many believed he was done as a prime fighter.
Despite having lost to Jeff White for the Australian lightweight title, Rose got another world title try when he faced WBC world junior lightweight champion Yoshiaki Numata, on May 30, 1971, at Hiroshima. Numata beat Rose by a fifteen round decision, and Rose announced his retirement soon after.
In 1975, he came back, but after losing four of his next six bouts, including one against Rafael Limon, Rose decided to retire for good. Rose compiled a record of 53 wins and 11 losses as a professional boxer, with 12 wins by knockout
Retirement
In retirement, he had legal problems but was also a successful businessman.
During his off time from boxing in the 1970s, Rose embarked on a successful singing career in Australia having hits with I Thank You and Please Remember Me in 1970.
Trivia
In 1996, Rose presented young burns-attack victim Tjandamurra O' Shane with his world-title belt, hoping to speed the youngster's recovery.
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