The year was 1953 and his thoughts were about his mother, after promising her he would earn good money so the family could have a better life.

His brother Dickie advised him not to go, as he believed life was too hard for young Aboriginal lads in the city, particularly someone of Teddy's diminutive size.

The determined youngster made his way to Melbourne where he went looking for a few friends in a gym and after a few sessions in the ring, he caught the eye of boxing trainer Harry Johns who offered him a four round bout against a much heavier opponent.

Rainbow won the bout, catching the eye of 1950's show boxing legend Roy Bell, who was impressed with the explosive power punching coming from this well mannered young lad. Teddy accepted an invitation to live at the Bell family home.

In the months that followed, Rainbow went on to register five straight wins in Melbourne against Ray Coates, Billy Street, Clive Lewis (twice) and Paul Prido.

The Cowra boy tasted his first defeat with a loss to Johnny Gleeson. He squared accounts a fortnight later when he came surging back to score a KO win over Gleeson.

This win opened doors for Rainbow, who became the new kid on the block.

Boxing was very big in Broken Hill, NSW, at the time so he accepted an invitation to fight at the Trades Hall Quadrangle under the Broken Hill Stadium's banner and became the biggest drawcard during his time there.

In the space of 15 months Rainbow had six fights at the Quadrangle and won the lot including five by KO or TKO.

He defeated highly rated Queenslander Cec Emmons in 11 rounds in January 1955.

Rainbow stunned the big stadium crowd at his first Quadrangle fight when he knocked out Emmons in the 11th round.

Emmons was taken to Broken Hill hospital and was there for three days and three nights with Rainbow at his bedside showing genuine concern for his opponent.

Rainbow defeated Taffy Hancock in 10 rounds on March 15, 1955; Peter Ellston in 14 rounds on December 16, 1955; Darcy Carr in eight rounds on January 2, 1956 and; Ray Coates in eight rounds on March 24, 1956.

Rainbow became the pin up boy of Broken Hill boxing and was asked how he came up with the name "Rainbow". Teddy replied after one of his wins someone called out "Teddy you were pretty like a "Rainbow"; several people heard it and the name stuck.

The Cowra product loved the atmosphere of fighting in Broken Hill so it was fitting that he should register two of his best career wins over former National champions Taffy Hancock and Frankie Bennett in that NSW country city.

Rainbow lost his first State Bantamweight title attempt to Peter Ellston in June 1955. He was then able to capture the title with an emphatic KO win over Ellston in December that year.

Teddy Rainbow was being touted as a possible World Championship contender by the Melbourne Sporting Globe, with champion trainer Bill McConnell taking an interest in him.

Speaking with Barry Doyle in 2005, Teddy reflected on his career.

"I had made a lot of money and wanted to help the family, but my mum died and that really hurt, she was very special to me,'' Teddy remarked.

Teddy had five weeks away from boxing and was helping friends in the country when he was notified that he was to fight Bindi Jack for the vacant National Bantamweight Title in two weeks.

"I made the worst decision of my life in accepting the fight as I was way out of condition. I should have said "no" and waited for another time, but this might have been my only chance for a National Title."

The fight was a disaster.

"I was too slow and wanted to box my way through the rounds; Bindi Jack had an off night so it was a sorry night overall.

"Referee Vic Patrick lost patience and walked out in the eighth round declaring "No Contest".

1957 was a better year for Rainbow recording a win over a very classy Dick White, followed by impressive wins over Barry Molloy and Warren Powell all in Brisbane. In 1959 he lost his NSW Bantamweight title to Eddie Ellston at Redfern.

Teddy had to wait another four years to regain the championship, lifting the title from Tony Caminti at Paddington Town Hall in 1963 taking home his second State belt which is now on display at the Cowra Bowling Club.

Despite all his achievements he was never given another shot at the National Title.

His last fight was a loss to an up and coming young fighter called Lionel Rose after which they became close friends.

When asked did the loss to Lionel Rose decide his retirement he said:

"Partly, but mainly I didn't want to hurt anyone anymore.

"I got much more pleasure helping my family and friends than for me to get back into a boxing ring."

Rainbow went on to say: "The feeling came home to me when I beat Taffy Hancock, I really hurt him, Taffy kept coming at me and wasn't throwing many punches and I was hitting him with all I had, that shook me up and I looked to the referee and he nodded to stop the fight.

"Taffy was in hospital and I was at his bedside, I kept thinking here is a decent bloke a good friend and a former National Champion, he didn't deserve this.

"I won further fights but my hunger wasn't there anymore."

"By the way don't write about Teddy Rainbow anymore, he is dead and gone. Teddy McGuinness will carry on, I might even go for a swim in the Lachlan River," Teddy McGuinness concluded with a smile.

Whenever Teddy visited Cowra, the town he loved, there was always a warm welcome for the champion boxer who became a wonderful ambassador for Cowra's young aspiring athletes.

Always willing to help his friends Teddy was a voluntary executive supporter for the foundation of Aboriginal Legal Affairs in the 1960's and was involved with the Aboriginal Legal Services in Redfern for more than 20 years.

In recognition of 41 years and 253 days service with Sydney City Council Teddy McGuinness was presented with a certificate of service by Chief Executive Officer Peter Seamer.

Teddy McGuinness - who never smoked or had alcohol in his lifetime - is now being cared for in an aged nursing centre in Sydney's inner west.

He owns his own home in Stanmore and is extremely proud of that achievement.

In 1969 he married Barbara Gowans of Temora and they have twins Darren and Damita, who are both living in Sydney. All are very supportive of Teddy, who is now aged 79 and his family are regular visitors to the aged care home.

They will be travelling to Cowra for Teddy's induction along with Roy Carroll's widow Esther. Roy was a highly respected Cowra boxer, trainer and manager.

The great Johnny Lewis (trainer of champions) is also coming to support his special friend.

Teddy is extremely proud of the McGuinness family sporting achievements.

This includes another Cowra sporting legend, the late Dickie McGuinness (Teddy's brother), son of Thomas and Gertrude McGuinness

Dickie was a sensational bootlace tackler for Cowra during the golden years of the rugby league Maher Cup clashes in 1945-46.

Dickie's daughter Denise was an outstanding basketballer who gained representative honours.

Dickie's grandsons Kevin and Ken McGuinness had successful years with the NRL, playing several first grade games.

Dickie's grandson Billy McGuinness was a brilliant schoolboy rugby league player with Cowra St Bridgid's Convent School team, playing alongside the great Tommy Raudonikis.

Teddy McGuinness (Rainbow) remains one of Cowra's true sporting legends and leaves no doubt he is a very worthy induction into the Cowra Sporting Hall Of Fame on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at the Cowra Services Club SOTY awards

...........Barry Doyle OAM.