Father Dave Smith served for thirty years as Parish Priest of the Anglican church in Dulwich Hill, in Sydney's inner west. When his marriage broke down last year, he was forced to resign from his position (due to Anglican Church policy in Sydney).
Now, as a single father to his youngest daughter, he is looking to put food on the table the only other way he knows how – by fighting.
Father Dave is scheduled to take on 'Wild Bill' Kinbacher this Saturday 27 March in Toowomba in a professional boxing bout, scheduled for five rounds.
"I'm only really good at two things – preaching and punching – and nobody is paying me to preach any more," says Father Dave.
While the fight takes place in Toowoomba, the Communist Party of Australia (CPA) are picketing Saint Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney, protesting Father Dave's dismissal.
"This may be the first time in human history that the Communist Party has campaigned on behalf of their local priest!" says Father Dave.
Father Dave has twice been named Marrickville Citizen of the Year and was nominated for Australian of the Year three times on account of his work with at-risk young people.
