An iconic figure of The Rocks was Albert Griffiths, better known as ‘Griffo.’ Born here in 1871, Griffo became one of the greatest boxers of his time, known for his lightning speed and uncanny ability to dodge punches.

Griffo’s legend grew in the gritty pubs and alleys of The Rocks, where boxing was as much a part of life as the hard-drinking dockworkers who cheered him on.

Though his career ended in tragedy, his story remains one of resilience and raw talent—a symbol of the fighting spirit of The Rocks that spanned from Sydney to the United States, it was to end tragically when he died penniless of heart disease in New York in 1927.