Swinging to Fred's blues

NORMAN ‘The Mauler’ Elliott thought nothing could stop him from taking on all challengers in the rope ring of Fred Brophy’s boxing tent at Longreach’s Show on Tuesday.
After spending 40 years touring the outback - and fighting with three generations of Brophy’s - the Winton-based brawler thought he had seen it all.
Thirty-five smashed noses, a broken cheek bone and two mangled hands; no man could stop him.
But a woman forced his late withdrawal from Tuesday night’s fight card.
"A girl at the pub pushed me and I fell ass over and put my back out, but I’m going to back for the big one at Winton rodeo next weekend," Mr Elliott said.
"Touring with the boxing tent is a great lifestyle.
"I get to travel around, meet people; bashing them to pieces and knocking their teeth out.
"There are also many friendly girls, but some are not so friendly."
In 1968 at the age of 16 Mr Elliott started with the Brophy troupe.
Last year, after taking to the ring over 500 times, Mr Elliott was diagnosed with diabetes, an apparent signal for the end of a long and distinguished career.
"I dropped from 25 stone to 17 in the space of a year.
"I was back spending over four hours a day in the gym.
"I am either going to die in the ring or some girl is going to shoot me."
Along with the late withdrawal of Mr Elliot, Fred Brophy was forced to send his son Cowboy Brophy, White Lightening and the Friendly Mauler out more than once during the Tuesday night shows, after losing several of his key men to the boys in blue.
"We ended up with a couple being locked up, but half of the troupe are fighting tonight (Tuesday) and the rest should be back for tomorrow.
"While the people keep rolling up to fight, we are going to always be there - and they keep coming.
"If they don’t win there is always the chance to remember the experience of a loss.
"There is nothing more Australian than the Brophy boxing tent."