A boxer and his trainer

This photograph is a third boxing-related image from the Wong Ah Sat archive. It shows two unidentified men, a boxer and his trainer. The placement of the gloves and a trophy on the table between them shows them as a successful team.

The men may have been friends or neighbours of Amelia Eve Wong and Henry Hackney Wong, two enthusiastic amateur photographers who lived on their family’s property at Bolong, NSW. Although Amelia Eve Wong and her brother created mainly outdoor portraits, it is possible that this image is one of their attempts at studio work.

 Boxing was traditionally a working class, male activity and a popular subject with photographers at this time. Two other photographs of boxing from the Wong collection have been posted previously on Photo of the Day. 

 Wong Ah Sat, father of Amelia Eve and Henry Hackney Wong, came toAustraliafrom southernChinain 1857. In 1864 he married Amelia Hackney, who had come with her prosperous and well-educated family fromManchester,England, where they had been involved in the drapery trade. Sat and Amelia took up a property nearBathurstand later moved to Bolong where they ran a store and raised a large family, becoming respected members of the predominantly Anglo-Celtic farming community.

The Powerhouse Museum holds a collection of objects and photographs from the Wong family, many of which are currently on display in the exhibition, What’s in store? A history of retailing in Australia.

Post by Kathy Hackett, Photo Librarian

Photography by Amelia Eve Wong and/or HenryH.Wong
Powerhouse Museum collection: 97/92/12-4
No known copyright restrictions.

Tags: boxing, men, trophies