Pat Ford started his boxing career in 1947 at just 16 years of age, training and fighting with the Orange Catholic Young Men's Society (CYMS) at the former Dalton's Mill on Peisley Street.

He quickly showed promise and trainer Harry McDonald took him under his wing, along with several other talented young boxers.

Among them were Pat Farrell, Ray Brennan, Billy Seaton, and future Commonwealth Games featherweight contender, Tony Fisher.

Rising to the top of both the state amateur lightweight division in 1950, Ford went professional the following year and was dubbed the 'Knockout King'.

He had seventeen knock-outs, five points wins and just five losses in his brief professional career that spanned from 1951 to 1955.

During that time, he took out the Australian lightweight championship, the British Empire (Commonwealth) championship, and successfully defended and (following a loss to Ivor Germain in April 1954) regained his titles, which he held when he retired at the tender age of twenty-four.

All the while, Pat Ford worked as a butcher, first as an apprentice to his father, Bill, and later running a butchery in Trangie.

There, he supported a local café owner who had branched out into the meat business after a dispute with the local butcher.

With no experience in the trade, Pat was essential to the business' success. Owner Nicholas Andrews remembers Pat fondly and credits him for his early success. He now runs one of the largest meat distribution companies in New South Wales.

It is as a butcher that many people remember Pat. He achieved great things as a sportsman. Representing Orange and his local CYMS, he was celebrated as a local hero.

But as a butcher, he was part of the local community, supporting charity and offering up his trademark sense of humour to his loyal customers. When Pat's son, Tony, asked locals to share their memories of his father the responses were overwhelming.

One local wrote: "I lived down the road from your Dad's butcher shop. I remember your Dad's beaming smile that was so welcoming to my Mum and us little girls. Your Dad used to pretend to cut off his thumb with his butchers knife. We'd squeal with delight. Such a wonderful man."

Pat Ford: Pride of Orange is on until 28 October 2021. You can also pick up a copy of our brand new book of the same name while you're here, or pop into Collins Booksellers Orange for a copy. At just $10, it's sure to be a knockout!