View source for Dave Sands

{{short description|Australian boxer (1926–1952)}}
{{One source|date=February 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2011}}
{{Infobox boxer
| name           = Dave Sands
| image          = Dave Sands.png
| image_size     = 
| alt            = 
| caption        = 
| realname       = David Ritchie
| nickname       = 
| weight         = [[Middleweight]]<br>[[Light-heavyweight]]<br>[[Heavyweight]]
| height         = {{convert|1.79|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| reach          = 
| nationality    = Australian
| birth_date     = {{Birth date|df=yes|1926|02|4}}
| birth_place    = [[Kempsey, New South Wales|Kempsey]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| death_date     = {{death date and age|df=yes|1952|08|11|1926|02|24}}
| death_place    = [[Dungog, New South Wales|Dungog]], New South Wales, Australia
| style          = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| total          = 100
| wins           = 87
| KO             = 52
| losses         = 10
| draws          = 1
| no contests    = 2
}}

[[File:David sands c. 1950 SLNSW FL21134876.jpg|thumb|Portrait of boxer Dave Sands, c. 1950]]
[[File:Memorial to Australian boxer Dave Sands, in Glebe, Sydney, Australia.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Memorial to Dave Sands in [[Glebe, New South Wales|Glebe]], [[Sydney]]]]

'''Dave Sands''' (born '''David Ritchie'''; 4 February 1926 – 11 August 1952) was an Australian [[professional boxer]].

The man the Americans called the "boxer with the educated left hand" received his due when he was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998 at a ceremony held in Los Angeles, recognised as one of the greatest boxers never to have won a world title.

Sands was the 2009 Inductee for the [[Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame]] Veterans category.

==Early life==
He was born at Burnt Bridge Mission in [[Kempsey, New South Wales]], the fifth of eight children of George Ritchie, a rodeo-rider and timber-cutter of mixed Aboriginal and European descent, and his Aboriginal wife Mabel, née Russell.

Sands' brothers Clement, Percival, George, Alfred and Russell also boxed, emulating their father and their maternal great-uncle Bailey Russell, a noted bare-knuckle fighter. In 1939, Percy travelled to Newcastle to train with Tom Maguire. At age 15, Sands joined Percy training with Maguire and both lived at Maguire's gym. He and his five brothers took on the Sands name, taken from train guard "Snowy" Sands who helped Percy travel fare-free to fight in 1940.

==Career==
Without Maguire's knowledge, Dave fought a four-round preliminary bout in August 1941 at Newcastle Stadium, swinging his way to victory in the first round. Maguire disapproved, but quickly transformed him into a skilled boxer. By the end of 1942, he had knocked out a dozen opponents at Newcastle. On 11 August 1945, he married 18-year-old Bessie Emma Burns at St Paul's Church of England, [[Stockton, New South Wales]].

Sands was soon boxing in twelve-round matches before excited crowds of up to ten thousand people in Brisbane and Sydney. In May 1946, he defeated Jack Kirkham for the [[List of Australian middleweight boxing champions|Australian middleweight title]]. Three months later, he knocked out Jack Johnson in four rounds to become national light-heavyweight champion. The rematches were even more one-sided: Kirkham was defeated in five rounds and Johnson fell after 2½ minutes of furious punching. By 1948, Sands had beaten all his local opponents and most American 'imports'. His mauling of a French fighter Tony Toniolo in less than two minutes in February 1949 led the English promoter Jack Solomons to take an interest in him.
[[File:Grave_of_David_Ritchie_at_Sandgate_Cemetery.jpg|thumb|right|Grave of Dave Sands at [[Sandgate Cemetery]].]]
Despite an enthusiastic reception from the British press, Sands began his campaign for a world title disastrously. In London on 4 April 1949, while suffering from a swollen, recently vaccinated arm, he was outpointed by Tommy Yarosz. Fifteen days later Sands won, dismally, against a spoiler, Lucien Caboche. Maguire then moved him to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where friendly locals and a promoter Joe Shepherd restored his confidence. After two solid victories, he returned to London and in July thrashed the much-fancied Robert Villemain in the 'fight of the year'. On 6 September, Sands demolished Dick Turpin in 2 minutes 35 seconds for the British Empire middleweight title.
[[File:(The six Sands brothers in fighting poses - Clem, Ritchie, George, Dave, Alf and Russell) (34512147670).jpg|thumb|Dave (fourth from left) with his five brothers)]]
Shortly after his triumphal return to Australia in November 1949, Sands survived a serious accident when the steering on his motorcar failed, and the vehicle somersaulted into a creek. Over the next eighteen months, he contested and won nine fights, one of them a fifteen-rounder in September 1950 in which he took the [[List of Australian heavyweight boxing champions|Australian heavyweight championship]] from Alf Gallagher. Sands had become a leading contender for the world middleweight title and Maguire vainly sought to arrange a bout with the American champion [[Sugar Ray Robinson]]. In the tricky maze of international boxing promotion, his efforts were marked by a paper chase of offers and counter-offers. Sands defeated Mel Brown in London in July 1951 in a preliminary to a title fight between Robinson and another contender Randolph Turpin. Had Maguire's negotiations succeeded, Sands would have been in Turpin's place and probably would have beaten an unfit Robinson, as did Turpin.

In October 1951, Sands won two fights in the United States. Back home, he hoped for a world title-bout, but he was estranged from Maguire. A new manager Bede Kerr reopened discussions with Robinson's connections, but the chance never came.

==Death==
On 11 August 1952, the truck Sands was driving with 15 passengers overturned at roadworks near [[Dungog, New South Wales]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18277191 |title = 12 Aug 1952 - Dave Sands Killed In Track Accident At Dungog - Trove| newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald | date=12 August 1952 }}</ref> Sands died of head and internal injuries that evening in the local hospital and was buried at [[Sandgate Cemetery]], near [[Newcastle, New South Wales]]. His wife, and their son and two daughters survived him; their third daughter was born in November. Sands had earned about £30,000, but it went on manager's fees, travel costs, tax, family expenses and generosity to his kin. A public appeal raised more than £2500, sufficient to pay off his Stockton home and create a trust fund for his family.

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|ko-wins=52
|ko-losses=2
|dec-wins=34
|dec-losses=8
|dq-wins=1
|dq-losses=
|draws=1
|nc=2
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Age
!Location
!Notes
|-
|100
|{{yes2}}Win
|87–10–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Jim Woods
|KO
|4 (15), {{small|2:19}}
|Jul 9, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1952|7|9}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Wagga Wagga Stadium, Wagga Wagga, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[List of Australian heavyweight boxing champions|Australian heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|99
|{{yes2}}Win
|86–10–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| [[Al Bourke]]
|KO
|5 (15), {{small|2:19}}
|May 9, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1952|5|9}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained Australasian light heavyweight title;<br>Retained Commonwealth middleweight title}}
|-
|98
|{{yes2}}Win
|85–10–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Chub Keith
|TKO
|14 (15), {{small|2:20}}
|Mar 31, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1952|3|31}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant Australasian light heavyweight title}}
|-
|97
|{{yes2}}Win
|84–10–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Ron Toohey
|TKO
|10 (12), {{small|2:15}}
|Feb 8, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1952|2|8}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Australia}}
|
|-
|96
|{{no2}}Loss
|83–10–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| [[Yolande Pompey]]
|TKO
|7 (10), {{small|2:15}}
|Nov 13, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1951|11|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, UK}}
|
|-
|95
|{{yes2}}Win
|83–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| [[Henry Brimm]]
|KO
|10 (10), {{small|0:50}}
|Oct 30, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1951|10|30}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US}}
|
|-
|94
|{{yes2}}Win
|82–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| [[Bobo Olson]]
|UD
|10
|Oct 3, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1951|10|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US}}
|
|-
|93
|{{yes2}}Win
|81–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Doug Miller
|PTS
|10
|Aug 20, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1951|8|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sportsdrome, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK}}
|
|-
|92
|{{yes2}}Win
|80–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Mel Brown
|PTS
|10
|Jul 10, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1951|7|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London, England, UK}}
|
|-
|91
|{{yes2}}Win
|79–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Henry Bray
|TKO
|7 (12)
|Feb 10, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1951|2|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|90
|{{yes2}}Win
|78–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Irvin Steen
|PTS
|12
|Feb 5, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1951|2|5}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|89
|{{yes2}}Win
|77–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Boy Brooks
|PTS
|12
|Jan 12, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1951|1|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Australia}}
|
|-
|88
|{{yes2}}Win
|76–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Don Mullett
|PTS
|12
|Dec 14, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1950|12|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Town Hall, Wellington, New Zealand}}
|
|-
|87
|{{yes2}}Win
|75–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Alf Gallagher
|PTS
|15
|Sep 4, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1950|9|4}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[List of Australian heavyweight boxing champions|Australian heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|86
|{{yes2}}Win
|74–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| [[Henry Brimm]]
|TKO
|2 (12), {{small|0:45}}
|Aug 8, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1950|8|8}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|85
|{{yes2}}Win
|73–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Boy Brooks
|UD
|10
|May 12, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1950|5|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Happy World Arena, Singapore}}
|
|-
|84
|{{yes2}}Win
|72–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Boy Brooks
|DQ
|4 (10)
|Apr 21, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1950|4|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Happy World Arena, Singapore}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Brooks disqualified for refusing to come out for Round 4}}
|-
|83
|{{yes2}}Win
|71–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| [[Bobo Olson]]
|PTS
|12
|Mar 20, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1950|3|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|82
|{{yes2}}Win
|70–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Pete Mead
|PTS
|10
|Oct 11, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1949|10|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, UK}}
|
|-
|81
|{{yes2}}Win
|69–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| [[Dick Turpin (boxer)|Dick Turpin]]
|KO
|1 (15), {{small|2:45}}
|Sep 6, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1949|9|6}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, UK}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[List of Commonwealth Boxing Council champions#Middleweight|Commonwealth middleweight title]]}}
|-
|80
|{{yes2}}Win
|68–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| [[Robert Villemain]]
|PTS
|10
|Jul 5, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1949|7|5}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Olympia, Kensington, London, England, UK}}
|
|-
|79
|{{yes2}}Win
|67–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Jan de Bruin
|PTS
|10
|Jun 3, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1949|6|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|New St. James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK}}
|
|-
|78
|{{yes2}}Win
|66–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Jackie Jones
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|1:20}}
|May 16, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1949|5|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|New St. James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK}}
|
|-
|77
|{{yes2}}Win
|65–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Lucien Caboche
|PTS
|10
|Apr 19, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1949|4|19}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK}}
|
|-
|76
|{{no2}}Loss
|64–9–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Tommy Yarosz
|PTS
|10
|Apr 4, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1949|4|4}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, UK}}
|
|-
|75
|{{yes2}}Win
|64–8–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Antoine Toniolo
|TKO
|1 (12), {{small|1:10}}
|Feb 18, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1949|2|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Australia}}
|
|-
|74
|{{yes2}}Win
|63–8–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Tommy Prince
|KO
|3 (12)
|Dec 17, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|12|17}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|73
|{{yes2}}Win
|62–8–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Len Dittmar
|TKO
|5 (12)
|Oct 9, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|10|9}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Australia}}
|
|-
|72
|{{yes2}}Win
|61–8–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Doug Brown
|TKO
|1 (12), {{small|2:58}}
|Sep 27, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|9|27}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|71
|{{yes2}}Win
|60–8–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Billy Meyers
|PTS
|12
|Aug 27, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|8|27}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Griffith Stadium, Griffith, Australia}}
|
|-
|70
|{{yes2}}Win
|59–8–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| George Allen
|TKO
|6 (12)
|Jun 26, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|6|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|69
|{{yes2}}Win
|58–8–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Billy Myers
|PTS
|12
|Jun 12, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|6|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|68
|style="background:#DDD"|NC
|57–8–1 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Jackie Marr
|NC
|7 (12)
|Apr 19, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|4|19}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Referee stopped as he felt Marr was over matched}}
|-
|67
|{{yes2}}Win
|57–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Don Mullett
|PTS
|12
|Apr 10, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|4|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Petone Recreation Ground, Petone, New Zealand}}
|
|-
|66
|{{yes2}}Win
|56–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Jackie Marr
|PTS
|12
|Mar 27, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|3|27}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Petone Recreation Ground, Petone, New Zealand}}
|
|-
|65
|{{yes2}}Win
|55–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Doug Rollinson
|KO
|1 (12)
|Mar 6, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|3|6}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Petone Recreation Ground, Petone, New Zealand}}
|
|-
|64
|{{yes2}}Win
|54–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Alabama Kid
|KO
|4 (12)
|Feb 7, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1948|2|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|63
|{{yes2}}Win
|53–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Alex Buxton]]
|PTS
|12
|Nov 29, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1947|11|29}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|62
|{{yes2}}Win
|52–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| George Allen
|TKO
|9 (12)
|Nov 24, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1947|11|24}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|61
|{{yes2}}Win
|51–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| George 'Wildcat' Henry
|PTS
|12
|Oct 13, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1947|10|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|60
|{{yes2}}Win
|50–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| George 'Wildcat' Henry
|PTS
|12
|Sep 8, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1947|9|8}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|59
|{{yes2}}Win
|49–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| George Allen
|KO
|2 (12), {{small|2:10}}
|Aug 5, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1947|8|5}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|58
|{{yes2}}Win
|48–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| George Allen
|TKO
|1 (12)
|May 31, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1947|5|31}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Australia}}
|
|-
|57
|style="background:#DDD"|{{abbr|NC|No contest}}
|47–8–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Emory Jackson
|NC
|7 (12)
|May 3, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1947|5|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The referee declared a no contest as Emory had not given his best}}
|-
|56
|{{yes2}}Win
|47–8–1
|align=left| Emory Jackson
|PTS
|12
|Apr 14, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1947|4|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|55
|{{yes2}}Win
|46–8–1
|align=left| Art Lind
|TKO
|7 (12)
|Mar 24, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1947|3|24}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|54
|{{no2}}Loss
|45–8–1
|align=left| Emory Jackson
|PTS
|12
|Feb 24, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1947|2|24}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|53
|{{yes2}}Win
|45–7–1
|align=left| Alf Gallagher
|KO
|3 (15)
|Nov 30, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1946|11|30}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained Australian light heavyweight title}}
|-
|52
|{{draw}}Draw
|44–7–1
|align=left| Jackie Marr
|PTS
|12
|Nov 23, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1946|11|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Australia}}
|
|-
|51
|{{yes2}}Win
|44–7
|align=left| Jack Johnson
|TKO
|1 (15)
|Oct 12, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1946|10|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained Australian light heavyweight title}}
|-
|50
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–7
|align=left| Jack Johnson
|TKO
|4 (15), {{small|2:57}}
|Aug 24, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1946|8|24}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won Australian light heavyweight title}}
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–7
|align=left| Jack Kirkham
|KO
|5 (15)
|Jun 7, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1946|6|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained Australian middleweight title}}
|-
|48
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–7
|align=left| Jack Kirkham
|TKO
|12 (15)
|May 11, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1946|5|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[List of Australian middleweight boxing champions|Australian middleweight title]]}}
|-
|47
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–7
|align=left| Jimmy Brunt
|TKO
|1 (12), {{small|2:00}}
|Mar 2, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1946|3|2}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|46
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–7
|align=left| [[Alex Buxton]]
|PTS
|12
|Jan 26, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1946|1|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–7
|align=left| Tommy Colteaux
|RTD
|2 (12)
|Dec 27, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|12|27}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Leichhardt Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|44
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–7
|align=left| Al Walker
|PTS
|12
|Nov 24, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|11|24}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–7
|align=left| Max Cameron
|TKO
|11 (15)
|Oct 20, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|10|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant New South Wales State middleweight title}}
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–7
|align=left| Billy Myers
|KO
|5 (12)
|Aug 11, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|8|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–7
|align=left| Tom Laming
|KO
|2 (12)
|Jul 7, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|7|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–7
|align=left| Herb Broom
|KO
|3 (12)
|Jun 16, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|6|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–7
|align=left| Max Cameron
|RTD
|6 (12)
|May 10, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|5|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Leichhardt Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–7
|align=left| Al Walker
|KO
|7 (12)
|May 5, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|5|5}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–7
|align=left| Max Cameron
|PTS
|12
|Mar 29, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|3|29}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Leichhardt Stadium, Sydney, Australia}}
|
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–7
|align=left| Al Walker
|PTS
|12
|Mar 3, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|3|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–7
|align=left| Jack Brander
|KO
|2 (12)
|Feb 3, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1945|2|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–7
|align=left| Jackie Marr
|PTS
|12
|Dec 16, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|12|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–7
|align=left| Jimmy Grey
|KO
|8 (12), {{small|1:00}}
|Dec 1, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|12|1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia}}
|
|-
|32
|{{no2}}Loss
|25–7
|align=left| Jackie Marr
|PTS
|12
|Nov 18, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|11|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–6
|align=left| Max Cameron
|TKO
|3 (12)
|Oct 21, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|10|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–6
|align=left| Tom Laming
|KO
|7 (12)
|Sep 23, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|9|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–6
|align=left| Jackie Day
|TKO
|5 (12)
|Sep 2, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|9|2}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–6
|align=left| Jimmy Grey
|PTS
|12
|Aug 5, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|8|5}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–6
|align=left| Bob Coughlan
|PTS
|12
|Jul 15, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|7|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–6
|align=left| Dal Conway
|TKO
|4 (12), {{small|0:42}}
|Jun 30, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|6|30}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia}}
|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–6
|align=left| Bill Bayliss
|KO
|2 (12), {{small|2:30}}
|Jun 2, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|6|2}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia}}
|
|-
|24
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–6
|align=left| Doug Brown
|PTS
|12
|May 13, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|5|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|23
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–5
|align=left| Doug Brown
|PTS
|12
|Apr 15, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|4|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–4
|align=left| Jack Mitchell
|TKO
|12 (12)
|Apr 1, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|4|1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–4
|align=left| Jack Buchanan
|KO
|2 (6)
|Feb 25, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|2|25}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Theatre Royal, Kempsey, Australia}}
|
|-
|20
|{{no2}}Loss
|16–4
|align=left| Jack McNamee
|PTS
|12
|Feb 5, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|2|5}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–3
|align=left| Bobby Clarke
|KO
|6 (12)
|Jan 22, 1944
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1944|1|22}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–3
|align=left| George Cook
|PTS
|12
|Dec 18, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|12|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|17
|{{no2}}Loss
|14–3
|align=left| Billy Myers
|PTS
|12
|Nov 27, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|11|27}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–2
|align=left| George Cook
|PTS
|12
|Nov 20, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|11|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–2
|align=left| Bobby Rivers
|TKO
|9 (12)
|Oct 23, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|10|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–2
|align=left| Cliff Bowen
|TKO
|2 (12)
|Sep 11, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|9|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–2
|align=left| Ken McDermott
|KO
|1 (12)
|Aug 21, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|8|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–2
|align=left| Ken McDermott
|RTD
|10 (12)
|Aug 14, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|8|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–2
|align=left| Eddie Truxel
|PTS
|6
|Jul 17, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|7|17}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–2
|align=left| Bill Warren
|PTS
|6
|Jul 3, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|7|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–2
|align=left| Snowy Stevens
|PTS
|6
|Jun 19, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|6|19}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–2
|align=left| Len Baker
|KO
|1 (4)
|Jun 12, 1943
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1943|6|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|7
|{{no2}}Loss
|5–2
|align=left| Gunner Wilkinson
|TKO
|4 (4)
|Nov 25, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1941|11|25}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Greater Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–1
|align=left| Cec Burr
|KO
|2 (4)
|Sep 23, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1941|9|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–1
|align=left| Eddie Roebuck
|PTS
|4
|Sep 20, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1941|9|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Greater Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|4
|{{no2}}Loss
|3–1
|align=left| Eddie Roebuck
|PTS
|4
|Sep 16, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1941|9|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Greater Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|align=left| Eddie Roebuck
|KO
|4 (4)
|Sep 13, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1941|9|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Greater Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|align=left| Paddy Chapman
|TKO
|4 (4)
|Aug 26, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1941|8|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Greater Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|align=left| Leo Con Corrigan
|KO
|1 (4)
|Aug 16, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1926|2|4|1941|8|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Greater Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, Australia}}
|
|-
|}

==Titles==
{{S-start}}
{{Succession box
 | title  = [[List of Australian heavyweight boxing champions|Australian heavyweight Championship]]
 | years  = 1950–52
 | with   =
 | before = Jack Johnson
 | after  = Ken Brady
}}
{{Succession box
 | title  = [[List of Commonwealth Boxing Council Champions|Commonwealth (British Empire) Middleweight]]
 | years  = 1949–52
 | with   =
 | before = [[Dick Turpin (boxer)|Dick Turpin]]
 | after  = Randolph Turpin
}}
{{Succession box
 | title  = [[Australian Light Heavyweight Championship]]
 | years  = 1946–52
 | with   =
 | before = Jack Johnson
 | after  = Carlo Marchini
}}
{{Succession box
 | title  = [[List of Australian middleweight boxing champions|Australian Middleweight Championship]]
 | years  = 1946–52
 | with   =
 | before = Jack Kirkham
 | after  = Al Bourke
}}
{{S-end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
'''Pictures held and digitised as part of the [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3046935 Arnold Thomas boxing collection] by the National Library of Australia ''' 
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3060549 Dave Sands, Empire and Australian Middleweight Champion and Tom Maguire, trainer]
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3060551 British Empire title bout, Dave Sands, 11 st. 5 lb., K.O. Dick Turpin, 11 st. 3¾ lb., in the first round at Harringay Arena, England, 6 September 1949]
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3060828 Dave Sands (left), 11 st. 7¾ lb. v. Henry Brimm, 11 st. 5½ lb., at Rushcutter's Bay Stadium, 8 August 1950]

==External links==
*{{Boxrec|24688}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sands, Dave}}
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:1952 deaths]]
[[Category:Indigenous Australian boxers]]
[[Category:Middleweight boxers]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Kempsey, New South Wales]]
[[Category:Australian male boxers]]
[[Category:Road incident deaths in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen]]