Product Description

Billy Cribb was born into a Romani/Jewish family and spent most of his childhood travelling. His early years were marred by the racism and bigotry his family endured at the hands of small-minded locals in the villages where they worked. These random attacks planted seeds of anger and hatred in Billy which later manifested in his fighting - for Billy Cribb became one of the greatest bare-knuckle fighters of his generation. Revealing an underground fight scene, this title traces Billy's career from his first fights on the motorways and A roads around Britain onto the cross channel ferries which provided an arena for many of his early fights. It then follows Billy's move to Majorca, giving an insight into what really goes on on this Mediterranean island: the timeshare racketeering, extortion and organized crime. Billy goes on to recount his move to the USA, where he sank deeper into the world of drugs and violence. He becomes a debt-collector for the Mafia and a star fighter in the Mafia-run fight syndicates of New York and later the cult fight circuit in California. Years later he returned to Britain as a reformed drug addict who had found religion.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89620 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

About the Author
Billy Cribb now lives in Sussex and is a successful horse breeder and comedy writer. He has also spent time as a drugs counsellor. This is his first publication.

Customer Reviews

Funny, Violent, sad and thoroughly takes over your life
This book thorougly took over my life while I was reading it. I just couldnt put it down. Its not the sort of book i would normally buy but after hearing Billy Cribb talk on the Gary Robertson chat show (Radio Scotland) I warmed to him and couldnt resist going out to buy the book.
Billy is funny articulated andexcitable on radio, and his writing is no different. The book takes you through his life from te age of 14 - 30 and so much happens it will spin your head around. The peaceful tales of Gypsy life on the leafy lanes, the laughter and fun at the horse fairs..the fights of honour in fields and warehouses..fights on the motorways and cross channel ferries..time share in the canaries..syndicate involvement and debt collection in New Yor..corrupt fight scenes and use of razor blades in the ring,drug abuse and cult fighting in California..hippie communes and born again christians..this read has it all I have to say. Thank you BBC Radio Scotland and thank you Bily for sharing your life with me. Bill Wyman seems to like it also..

In the words of Jim Bowen .. Wonderful - Marvelous - Smashin
I really enjoyed reading this book. I am now waiting for the follow up because it has left me hanging... The story finishes OK but Billy throws in a taster of whats to come during the next book in the last pages which had left me hungry for the next book..very clever writing. I see too that Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones has read the book as well as critic Garry Bushell and the UK's most dangerous prisoner Charles Bronson ,, they all seemed to love it too so they cant all be wrong. I even saw esther Rantzens name in there. The book was definately my cup of tea and I thank my dear husband for buying it for me (although i think he secretly wanted to read it himself anyway). The sleeve notes promise excitement, tears and laughter and I wasnt let down in any form. Well done Mainstream for recognising and releasing a great Biography.

Stirring story of Gypsy boy who lost his way and came back
This is one of the most fantastic biographies I have ever read, The story is gripping from start to finish maiking me laugh and cry almost at the same time.
It gave me a greater understanding of the secret community of the Romany Gypsy and of the closeness of their families. I can see easily how this boy turned in to a violent man and must say although I dont support boxing I was very interested and drawn in to the fighting here. Some of te stories were a little gruesome but completley neccesary to underline the life that the writer led.
I can see this being a best seller once the media get hold of it. I was so sad when i finished as I had become a part of the family and of the writers life. I hope there will be a follow up to the book, there is so much more to tell and I have lots of questions also...