King of the Gypsies

'A rare glimpse into a secret world.' --THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY


'Every page shines...a tremendous book.' -- TRAVELLER MAGAZINE


'Hard-hitting...Highly recommended.' -FIGHTSPORT


'Illuminating and gripping.' -- IRISH POST 


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.