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For some decades now Michael J. Clarke has been recognised as the leading expert on the history of boxing in Australia, with several publications announcing that he is to boxing, what Wisden is to cricket, and what the Ampol and Guinness Book of Records are to sport in general – a virtual dictionary of boxing facts.
Having academic qualifications as an historian has allowed him to travel far beyond the average sports follower or the everyday compiler of facts. For almost 68 years he has researched the historical and social influence of boxing and its impact on the sporting life of Australia.
His demonstrated knowledge of the sport reveals that he is without peer, with his written works over many years serving to illustrate the important role he has played in the sport of boxing.
His personal research in his chosen field commences from 1803 through to the present day, his records of boxing in this country preceding the generally accepted date of the first reported bout in Australia by 11 years. Through this vast collection of data Michael can not only supply the record of any boxer that has ever fought professionally in this country but can also supply the complete program for any given date at any stadium in Australia.
His contribution as a writer began in 1956 with articles appearing in the ”Australian Ring,“ a monthly magazine, to be followed in later years with contributions to ”Fighter, Small Glove News, Australian Boxer, The Square Ring, The World of Boxing and Boxing News“ in England, the longest running boxing publication in the world.
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His advice and expertise has been sought and acknowledged by other authors, including Peter Fenton (Les Darcy, (The Legend of the Fighting Man), Bryce Courtnay (Four Fires) and a Creeful of Coals (a Newcastle, UK monthly), while the books of Professor Colin Tatz, Obstacle Race“ and ”Black & Gold,“ which primarily concern Australian aborigines in sport, include important details provided by Michael.
His knowledge of boxing is encyclopaedic with stories on his expertise appearing in The Newcastle Morning Herald, Sydney Morning Herald, The Illawarra Mercury, Outlook (University of Wollongong), as well as appearing on TV Channel 9 (Sydney), Channel 3 (Newcastle), Channel 4 (Wollongong). He has also been interviewed on Radio 2UE, (Sydney, Alan Jones), 2GB (Sydney, Alan Jones), ABC National Radio, Sydney, Wollongong & Kempsey), 2Wl (Wollongong) 2HD (Newcastle), FM Koori Radio 2LND (Sydney) and Vox FM Community Radio (Wollongong).
From 1954 to 1986, at the request of Mr Nat Fleischer, Editor & owner of The Ring Magazine in the USA, he became a member of the international panel which annually selected boxers to the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame.
As a member of that respected panel Michael had a continuing debate with the widely respected Mr Fleischer on the claims of Australian boxers Young Griffo, Mick King and Les Darcy for universal recognition as genuine world champions of their respective divisions. Fleischer, who was the most prestigious man in the boxing world at the time finally agreed with the strong arguments lodged on behalf of the Australians which saw all three, Griffo, King and Darcy recognised in 1980. Young Griffo and Darcy were also initiated into the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in the same year.
When the World Boxing Hall of Fame (New York) was formed Michael made strong representations to that body on the relative merits of Darcy and Dave Sands, the result being that both men were inducted into that body in 1998.
Michael is happy to supply the complete professional record of any boxer who has ever fought in Australia, and also to provide the full results of professional boxing programs fought throughout Australia for any year that may be required.
Michael has written six books on Australian boxing, all of which have been acclaimed for their accuracy and detail. They comprise a four-volume series ”Boxing,“ then ”the Fighting History of the Sands Brothers“ and ”Legends of the Ring.“ This is more than any other Australian author and probably the world, but there was still more to come, for he has recently completed a further two manuscripts. The first tells of the life and boxing career of the boxer he ranks as the greatest never to hold an Australian title, the amazing Trevor King, O.A.M. and the other on the immortal Les Darcy.
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