Hall of Fame boxer Lawrence ‘Baby Cassius’ Austin fondly remembered after death

One of Australia’s greatest boxers who was born and bred in Warrnambool “could have been world champion” had he been given the chance.

Australian boxing legend Lawrence "Baby Cassius" Austin passed away just shy of his 69th birthday.

A legendary Australian boxer who made a name for himself in the inner northern suburbs of Melbourne “could have been world champion”.

Lawrence “Baby Cassius” Austin died on January 9 just shy of his 69th birthday, leaving behind a remarkable career.

Born in Warrnambool on January 22, 1956, “Baby Cassius” was a professional boxer during the 1970s and 1980s.

He began his career fighting at the iconic Collingwood Boxing Stadium en route to three Commonwealth titles.

Austin spent much of his professional career fighting in Western Australia.

The Gunditjmara warrior most famously took the Commonwealth title off another boxing great Hector Thompson.

Hector Thompson had his title taken from him by Lawrence Austin.

Thompson would go onto fight Panama boxer Roberto Duran in 1973 for a shot at the World Boxing Assocation title, but lost on a technical knockout.

His nephew Troy Austin said Austin often wondered he “could have been a world champion” if he was given the opportunity Thompson was.

In 2008, Austin was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame.

He had 48 career fights, with 34 of them wins, 12 losses and two draws.

Austin’s professional fighting weight varied from 58kg (superfeatherweight) to 72kg (middleweight).

Post-career, Troy said Austin mentored other Indigenous men and gave back to the community.

“People loved him,” Troy said.

“He was a loveable and humble guy who would share whatever he had”.

Austin was one of 12 children and had seven children of his own - Tanya, David, Jason, Tamara, Jacinta, Alan and Rocky.

The Herald Sun has received permission from Austin’s family to use his name and image.