The closure of the Townsville branch of the long established Roger David nationwide menswear chain brings to light the involvement of an Australian boxing champion , Max Carlos , with the company and his strong connection with Townsville and nearby Magnetic Island .
At the age of 14 , Max Carlos , son of a Spanish merchant seaman , trained as a tailor with Roger David in Victoria. By 20 , having won more than 50 fights , he represented Australia at the l956 Melbourne Olympics .The first bout was against highly rated American Joe Shaw , tipped to take out gold . It was a fierce encounter , Shaw winning on points. However, he suffered a broken rib and a badly cut eye in the fight and had to withdraw from further involvement .
During the finals match, Carlos watching ringside, was tapped on the shoulder by the injured American boxer, who said : " Hey Maxie . Look at these two bums fighting for our medal ."
When he won the Australian Lightweight Championship in l958 , the Roger David company had the above special belt made for him from crocodile skin.
During the finals match, Carlos watching ringside, was tapped on the shoulder by the injured American boxer, who said : " Hey Maxie . Look at these two bums fighting for our medal ."
When he won the Australian Lightweight Championship in l958 , the Roger David company had the above special belt made for him from crocodile skin.
Known as a never give in fighter , Carlos took part in epic bouts against George Bracken , above , in Melbourne's Festival Hall , also known as the Festival of Pain . Born on Palm Island of an Aboriginal mother and Indian father, Bracken is said to have received early fight experience with the Jimmy Sharman Travelling Boxing Troupe in Townsville .
During one of the fights Carlos entered the ring wearing a Footscray Aussie Rules jumper and Bracken sported one for Geelong.
On leaving boxing , Carlos had a Roger David store in Shepparton . Twenty three years after his last fight he underwent an operation for a brain tumour which left him with severe double vision and droopy eyelids.
He and wife, Yvonne, had a time share on Magnetic Island . On visits Max liked to play blackjack at the Townsville casino. He attracted much attention because his eyes were kept open with surgical tape and he was slow making bets.
Before heading north for the island once more , he received medical advice that the cancer had returned . After a lucky night at the casino , he returned to the island with about $1000 , collapsed soon after, eventually flown south to Victoria where he died .
