Australia's Last Boxing Tent - SBS Doco Tuesday 11th 8:30pm

[Zamperla]

An Australian Sideshow era is finally coming to an end, Fred Brophy's is the last travelling Boxing Tent in Aus, only travelling far north QLD and NT. Even if you were too young to have witnessed one at a show, you should find this doco a fascinating view. (note: Fred Brophy is brother of Circus Sunrise operator, Gary Brophy)

Synopsis from website:

Fred Brophy runs a unique outback fight club. He leads a troupe that tours rural Australia and invites ordinary people from the crowd to fight professional boxers - for a cash reward. Tent boxing is an unusual form of entertainment that is loved by those living in rural Australia. It brings rural communities together and offers employment to the boxers.

But after 32 years on the road, Fred is about to retire. The problem is that Fred’s is the last tent boxing troupe in the world. Before television existed tent boxing was a major form of entertainment in Australia, North America and the UK. But today the sport is banned in North America and the UK for safety reasons.

In Australia, where tent boxing is still legal, restrictive legislation has forced the closure of all boxing troupes but one. Queensland is now the only state where tent boxing still occurs. When Fred retires, tent boxing will be a thing of the past. How will his boxers and the outback towns cope without tent boxing? Can Fred really walk away from the boxing community that has been his life?

With unprecedented access, this two-hour miniseries goes behind the scenes of Fred’s final tour in 2010 to witness the usually-secret world of a boxing troupe. The series features several fights and follows the boxers as they fight members of the public night after night. With never-before-seen footage of the action and ultra slow motion cinematography, every moment is captured.

The documentary delves into the psychology behind boxing to understand what drives ordinary people to fight for entertainment, following the personal quests of four male and two female boxers. Blair has beaten one thousand men but has to win one more fight before retiring. Joe fights to battle his inner demons and manage his anger. Ryan does it to score with women. Krystal wants to prove to the world that women make great boxers and are as tough as men.

Outback Fight Club is 'show of the week' in the Sydney Morning Herald TV guide.

http://www.sbs.com.au/documentary/progr ... kfightclub

[Jaffa23]

Thanks Zamperla - saw the promo 2night on SBS,,,looks really interesting.

Will be tuning in,,,

Jaffa23

[princess]

I can still hear the drums of the Sharman boxing tents in my head, the end of an era.

[Zamperla]

For anyone who missed Outback Fight Club last week, you missed a great first part doco!

The good news - the final part 2 is on tomorrow night 8:30pm.

Not to be missed.

[Funderstruck]

Watched this last week and looking forward to seeing part 2 in 30mins

[Funderstruck]

Great to see that Fred is going to continue till "I cant climb up the ladder anymore" his words.
A true showman.