Product Description

Bartley Gorman was the greatest bareknuckle fighter of modern times. He reigned as King of the Gypsies for twenty years, beating all comers in illegal contests at fairs and racetracks, down mineshafts and in quarries, on campsites and in car parks.

In this hard-hitting autobiography he lays bare the secret world of illicit prize-fighting and recalls his violent clashes with pro-boxers, martial artists, streetfighters and the lawless `Suicide Fighters' who seek out the top champions of the day. He describes great fighters of the past like the infamous Uriah `Big Just' Burton, the challenges he threw out to London hardmen Lennie McLean and Roy Shaw, and the brutal mob attack that almost cost him his life.

His extraordinary memoir also contains many rare photographs and unveils the formidable new breed of fighting travellers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43043 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
'A rare glimpse into a secret world.' (The Independent on Sunday) --THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

Review
'Well-written and interesting.' (Boxing News)

Review
'Every page shines - a tremendous book.' (Traveller Magazine)

Customer Reviews

king of the gypsies
As a mate of Bartlys i find it amusing that some people who have reviewed this book find him a coward, one in particular saying an anti climax and that Bartly thinks he could have been someone. Anyone who knew this man would say opposite to this, he was a man of character and morals and never turned away from any challange, the bravest man i ever had the honour to meet and is sorely missed. The only cowards in this world are the ones who say things when there can be no responce.

?
all in all a good book, initially after reading the foreword i thought this guy was a bit arrogant, but as the book goes on its difficult not to gain respect for the man. you dont get much insight into the man apart from the fighter until the end of the book. i find it interesting that once he is older he turns his back on the fighting game, this seems to be the norm as fighters get older and wiser, billy cribb, tarmac warrior did the same. a good book.

king bartley
having read numerous books of this type i have to say this is amongst my favs well written it keeps you fixed and is hard to put down you almost feel sorry for bartley after the racecourse incident worth every penny highly recommended