Bartley Gorman
Encyclopedia
Bartley Gorman V was an Irish Traveller
who was the undefeated Bare-knuckle boxing
champion of United Kingdom
and Ireland
, often referred to as King of the Gypsies
.
Gorman was born in Nottingham
to a Welsh father and Irish mother. Both his grandfather and great-grandfather were also boxers.
Gorman had his first bare-knuckle fight at the age of 12. At the age of 28, by which time he was based in Uttoxeter
, Staffordshire
, Gorman was the Bareknuckle Champion of Great Britain and Ireland, having beaten rival Jack Fletcher in a fight at a quarry.
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 but was set upon by the group, who had reportedly been paid £25,000 to carry out the attack.
Gorman remained unbeaten until his retirement from boxing in 1992.
A documentary about Gorman was made by Shane Meadows
in 1995, and Gorman lived in a caravan on grounds that had featured in the documentary. Gorman was building a house in Uttoxeter but died of liver cancer
before it was finished. He was 57 years old.
A film is to be made, co-written by Shane Meadows
and Paddy Considine
on the life of Gorman, entitled "King of the Gypsies".
Irish Traveller
Irish Travellers are a traditionally nomadic people of ethnic Irish origin, who maintain a separate language and set of traditions. They live predominantly in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.-Etymology:...
who was the undefeated Bare-knuckle boxing
Bare-knuckle boxing
Bare-knuckle boxing is the original form of boxing, closely related to ancient combat sports...
champion of United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, often referred to as King of the Gypsies
King of the Gypsies
The title King of the Gypsies has been claimed or given over the centuries to many different people. It is both culturally and geographically specific. It may be inherited, acquired by acclamation or action, or simply claimed. The extent of the power associated with the title varied; it might be...
.
Gorman was born in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
to a Welsh father and Irish mother. Both his grandfather and great-grandfather were also boxers.
Gorman had his first bare-knuckle fight at the age of 12. At the age of 28, by which time he was based in Uttoxeter
Uttoxeter
Uttoxeter is a historic market town in Staffordshire, in the West Midlands region of England. The current population is approximately 13,711, though new developments in the town will increase this figure. Uttoxeter lies close to the River Dove and is near the cities of Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, Gorman was the Bareknuckle Champion of Great Britain and Ireland, having beaten rival Jack Fletcher in a fight at a quarry.
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 but was set upon by the group, who had reportedly been paid £25,000 to carry out the attack.
Gorman remained unbeaten until his retirement from boxing in 1992.
A documentary about Gorman was made by Shane Meadows
Shane Meadows
Shane Meadows is an English film director, screenwriter, occasional actor and BAFTA winner.-Background:Meadows grew up in the Westlands Road area of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. His father was a long distance lorry driver and his mother worked in a fish and chip shop...
in 1995, and Gorman lived in a caravan on grounds that had featured in the documentary. Gorman was building a house in Uttoxeter but died of liver cancer
Liver cancer
Liver tumors or hepatic tumors are tumors or growths on or in the liver . Several distinct types of tumors can develop in the liver because the liver is made up of various cell types. These growths can be benign or malignant...
before it was finished. He was 57 years old.
A film is to be made, co-written by Shane Meadows
Shane Meadows
Shane Meadows is an English film director, screenwriter, occasional actor and BAFTA winner.-Background:Meadows grew up in the Westlands Road area of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. His father was a long distance lorry driver and his mother worked in a fish and chip shop...
and Paddy Considine
Paddy Considine
Patrick George "Paddy" Considine is an English actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, musician and frequent collaborator with Shane Meadows. Best known to audiences for his portrayals of dark, troubled, morally or mentally ambiguous characters...
on the life of Gorman, entitled "King of the Gypsies".