Bartley Gorman

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Bartley Gorman V (1 March 1944 – 18 January 2002) was a Welsh Traveller, who was a bare-knuckle boxer, he declared himself as the King of the Gypsies.^[1] Between 1972 and 1992, he reigned supreme in the world of illegal gypsy boxing. During these years, he fought down a mineshaft, in a quarry, at horse fairs, on campsites, in bars and clubs and in the street. Several relatives of Bartley Gorman have become professional boxers in recent years, including Nathan Gorman,^[2][3] Hughie Fury and Tyson Fury.^[4]

Early life[]

Gorman was born on 1 March 1944, in Nottingham, England, to a Welsh father and Irish mother, who were both Travellers.^[1] His paternal grandfather and great-grandfather were also boxers.^[5] Gorman had his first bare-knuckle fight at the age of 12. His son, Shaun, was not a fighter, he was a rugby union player. ^[6]

Career[]

When he won the title of Bareknuckle Champion of Great Britain and Ireland, having beaten rival Jack Fletcher in a fight at a quarry, he was aged 28, was 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall and weighed 15.5 stone (98 kg).^[6][7]

On St Leger day in 1976, Gorman was ambushed by an armed mob and almost killed. He had turned up expecting to fight a challenger by the name of Ricky "Top Hat" Donahue, but was set upon by the group, who had reportedly been paid £25,000 to carry out the attack.^[8] Bartley detailed in his book: "I showed up at 10.30am, the agreed time, but he (Donahue) was no where to be seen. Then from out of no where 25 guys appeared with crowbars and bricks. I was beaten senseless."

Bartley Gorman and David Pearce signed to fight for the World unlicensed title after Pearce KO'd former WBA World Heavyweight Champion John Tate, in California. Gorman said; "Dave Pearce is the best gorger fighting man in Great Britain and I am King of the Gypsies, If I win I will challenge Muhammed Ali to fight for the title". This was made possible due to the links both fighters had with former Bareknuckle fighter and friend to Ali, Paddy Monaghan.

The BBBoC threatened a worldwide ban on Pearce if he took part. Pearce was forced to decline and was left subsequently devastated.

Retirement and death[]

Gorman claimed to remain unbeaten until his retirement from boxing in 1992, with his last fight being a draw with Graeme O'Laughlan (Kennedy). Gorman lived on a traveller site in Uttoxeter, England, and that is where he lived out his final days.^[9]

In popular culture[]

For the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises, actor Tom Hardy revealed that he used Gorman's voice as one of the inspirations for the accent of Bane.^[10][11] Gorman has also been cited as the main inspiration for professional wrestler Wade Barrett's finishing move, the Bull Hammer Elbow.

Gorman's autobiography King of the Gypsies, written with the help of Peter Walsh, was completed just before Gorman's death. Gorman tells an uncompromising but touching story of a man compelled by the weight of his own violent family history to fight and suffer pain. The book reveals that he was only nine years old when he first witnessed the misery that violence brings. Bartley saw his uncle killed by one punch thrown by a rogue showman. Much of the book is taken up with tales of brutal fights at fairs, racecourses and bars.

Shane Meadows filmed a documentary entitled King of the Gypsies, interviewing Gorman about his life in 1995. The 1999 Comedy Drama 'A Room for Romeo Brass' featuring Paddy Considine who played the part of Morrell based his accent on Gormans.

References[]

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