On April 27, 1912, the medal was placed around the neck of Mr Bates’ great uncle Harry Emery following a battle with The Maitland Wonder, Les Darcy.

And while Darcy may have been declared the winner of the fight at Summer Park, Newcastle, Emery’s connection to that day – a century ago – lives on.

“Uncle Harry didn’t have any kids so the medal was left to my dad to be handed down through the generations,” Mr Bates, 82, of Cessnock, said. “And even though I don’t remember much of Uncle Harry, I have always cherished the medal.”

When Emery fought Darcy it was described as one of the fastest bouts witnessed in Newcastle and one that will live long in the memories of those ‘who had the good fortune to be present’.

In the book Fighters of the North, Darcy is described as a clean limbed muscular little fellow possessed of wonderful hitting powers and stamina.

“Emery was an honoured favourite, but Darcy attacked with the ferocity of a terrier and never gave Emery a chance,” the book stated. “The contest went the full eight rounds and the referee decided for Darcy who appeared to be as sound as when he commenced.”

Mr Bates has always been a Darcy fan and has collected memorabilia on the boxing legend for years.

“I am interested in that sort of thing even though Uncle Harry was the only boxer in the family,” he said. “In the old days boxing was a fairly common thing to do and there were a lot of fighters from this area, and many of them fought in Cessnock and the surrounding areas.”