TRAVELLER AND GYPSY BAREKNUCKLE BOXING
Bareknuckle Boxing within the Travelling community
I think to understand the reason for the fighting that takes place you need to learn a little about the Travellers lifestyle, not
just the hardships and predjudice they have suffered but the traditions that they live by and fighting plays a large part of this.Everyone who supports Bareknuckle Boxing has to be thankful for the way Travellers have kept BKB in the limelight.Words like Barbaric and brutal are falsely spewed across the tabloids from time to time but if anyone actually took time out and looks into this style of fighting they will see that its far from that. Honour and pride are words that i would use ,they have always fought with codes of conduct which includes no throws, eye gouging, hair pulling and each fighter has a fair play man who act as refreees to make sure that fighters make it a clean fight. I'll be adding articles, videos and write ups of most of the fights that have taken place and in some ways i hope this helps to create a fairer image not
only for Bareknuckle boxing but also for the lifestyle these men lead.
just the hardships and predjudice they have suffered but the traditions that they live by and fighting plays a large part of this.Everyone who supports Bareknuckle Boxing has to be thankful for the way Travellers have kept BKB in the limelight.Words like Barbaric and brutal are falsely spewed across the tabloids from time to time but if anyone actually took time out and looks into this style of fighting they will see that its far from that. Honour and pride are words that i would use ,they have always fought with codes of conduct which includes no throws, eye gouging, hair pulling and each fighter has a fair play man who act as refreees to make sure that fighters make it a clean fight. I'll be adding articles, videos and write ups of most of the fights that have taken place and in some ways i hope this helps to create a fairer image not
only for Bareknuckle boxing but also for the lifestyle these men lead.
BARTLEY GORMAN
Perhaps one of the most well known Bareknuckle fighters of
the 20th Century is Bartley Gorman and not only did he have a reputation as a
fierce fighter inside the ring but a gentleman outside of it. Before i give some
details of Bartley and his family heres a clip from youtube which is personally
one of my favourites.
Bartley Gorman - King of the Gypsies 'King of the Gypsies' is not a title that is simply inherited. Staffordshire-based bareknuckle fighter Bartley Gorman did his way - in his own words, "it is a title earned in blood, snot, sweat and gore".Bartley
Gorman was the most famous bareknuckle fighter of modern times. Gorman, who was enormously proud of his heritage, and who settled in his adopted home town of Uttoxeter in East Staffordshire, was feared and respected in equal measure.
When he won the title of Bareknuckle Champion of Great Britain and Ireland, aged 28, he was 6ft 1in and weighed 15½ stone.
Between 1972-1992, 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, and even challenged infamous London brawlers Lenny McLean and Roy Shaw.
Attempted murder He even survived a brutal attempt on his life by a mob at Doncaster Races who were determined to end his reign.
Bartley became a living legend, and to a certain extent put the small market town of Uttoxeter on the map.
For Uttoxeter he was a bit of a 'a town treasure' and they even honoured Bartley by putting his name on their Millennium monument alongside such illustrious Staffordshire greats as Joseph Bamford, who founded JCB.
Not only was he renowned and feted in his own community, his reputation spread far and wide, even coming to the attention of Muhammed Ali, with whom he once sparred.
In fact, Ali was one of his heroes, and Bartley based much of his fighting traits on the boxing skills of 'The Greatest'.
Boxing family Bartley came from a rich heritage of fighters and many of his forefathers had been champion gypsy boxers before him.
In some ways, he felt that he was the natural successor to his great-grandfather Boxing Bartley - Ireland's King of the Tinkers in the 19th century - and his grandfather Bulldog Bartley - another unbeaten bareknuckle fighter.
After semi-retirement in 1992 (a bareknuckle fighter never fully retires!), Bartley settled to build his own house on the outskirts of Uttoxeter and for the remaining 10 years, was able to watch the rise of the next breed of gypsy fighters.
In January 2002, hundreds of gypsies from across the country came to the town for his funeral after he died from liver cancer, aged 57.
Biography Gorman's biography '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 the red-haired gypsy boy Bartley Gorman was only nine years old when he first witnessed the misery that violence brings.
Bartley saw his passive uncle killed before his very eyes by one punch thrown by a rogue showman.
In fact, much of the book is taken up with tales of brutal fights at fairs, racecourses, bars - anywhere travelling men met, argued and brawled.
The book 'King of the Gypsies' is published by Milo Books.
Bareknuckle 'sport' For gypsies, bareknuckle fighting was seen as a legitimate and acceptable sport: a form of expression.
As young boys today seek to emulate the skills of David Beckham, young gypsy boys would dream of being the champion boxer of their patch.
The biography even reveals the secret lineage of the gypsy champions and unveils unique photographs of the top fighting men of today.
Peter Walsh, who got to know Bartley during the last 18 months of his life, sums him up:
"He was a unique man, a one-off. He was lovely man with a wicked sense of humour but a streak of melancholy that never
left him."
the 20th Century is Bartley Gorman and not only did he have a reputation as a
fierce fighter inside the ring but a gentleman outside of it. Before i give some
details of Bartley and his family heres a clip from youtube which is personally
one of my favourites.
Bartley Gorman - King of the Gypsies 'King of the Gypsies' is not a title that is simply inherited. Staffordshire-based bareknuckle fighter Bartley Gorman did his way - in his own words, "it is a title earned in blood, snot, sweat and gore".Bartley
Gorman was the most famous bareknuckle fighter of modern times. Gorman, who was enormously proud of his heritage, and who settled in his adopted home town of Uttoxeter in East Staffordshire, was feared and respected in equal measure.
When he won the title of Bareknuckle Champion of Great Britain and Ireland, aged 28, he was 6ft 1in and weighed 15½ stone.
Between 1972-1992, 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, and even challenged infamous London brawlers Lenny McLean and Roy Shaw.
Attempted murder He even survived a brutal attempt on his life by a mob at Doncaster Races who were determined to end his reign.
Bartley became a living legend, and to a certain extent put the small market town of Uttoxeter on the map.
For Uttoxeter he was a bit of a 'a town treasure' and they even honoured Bartley by putting his name on their Millennium monument alongside such illustrious Staffordshire greats as Joseph Bamford, who founded JCB.
Not only was he renowned and feted in his own community, his reputation spread far and wide, even coming to the attention of Muhammed Ali, with whom he once sparred.
In fact, Ali was one of his heroes, and Bartley based much of his fighting traits on the boxing skills of 'The Greatest'.
Boxing family Bartley came from a rich heritage of fighters and many of his forefathers had been champion gypsy boxers before him.
In some ways, he felt that he was the natural successor to his great-grandfather Boxing Bartley - Ireland's King of the Tinkers in the 19th century - and his grandfather Bulldog Bartley - another unbeaten bareknuckle fighter.
After semi-retirement in 1992 (a bareknuckle fighter never fully retires!), Bartley settled to build his own house on the outskirts of Uttoxeter and for the remaining 10 years, was able to watch the rise of the next breed of gypsy fighters.
In January 2002, hundreds of gypsies from across the country came to the town for his funeral after he died from liver cancer, aged 57.
Biography Gorman's biography '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 the red-haired gypsy boy Bartley Gorman was only nine years old when he first witnessed the misery that violence brings.
Bartley saw his passive uncle killed before his very eyes by one punch thrown by a rogue showman.
In fact, much of the book is taken up with tales of brutal fights at fairs, racecourses, bars - anywhere travelling men met, argued and brawled.
The book 'King of the Gypsies' is published by Milo Books.
Bareknuckle 'sport' For gypsies, bareknuckle fighting was seen as a legitimate and acceptable sport: a form of expression.
As young boys today seek to emulate the skills of David Beckham, young gypsy boys would dream of being the champion boxer of their patch.
The biography even reveals the secret lineage of the gypsy champions and unveils unique photographs of the top fighting men of today.
Peter Walsh, who got to know Bartley during the last 18 months of his life, sums him up:
"He was a unique man, a one-off. He was lovely man with a wicked sense of humour but a streak of melancholy that never
left him."
What a man
WHAT A BRILLIANT PHOTO, 2 CHAMPIONS TOGETHER.
AN EXTRACT FROM BAREKNUCKLE FIGHTER.......By Bartley Gorman.
http://www.maverickhouse.com/extract-popup.php?bid=33
JAMES QUINN MCDONAGH
I did this interview with james nearly a year ago so i think its time i got another one, in the meantime i'll keep this up. Hes a great role model for BKB and a true friend, he has a way of charming people from first meeting them and is one of the nicest fellas ive met. i wish you all the success mate in life.
Age………………40+
Weight…………17 stone
Height………….6ft 2 inches
Stance…………Orthodox
Birthplace…….Ireland
Nickname…….The Mighty Quinn
Question 1. Can you tell me what got you into fighting an what age did you start?
A. I started boxing at the age of 12-13, I had 12 amateur fights over a 3 year period losing my first and losing my last fight. I boxed for Dublin v London, Dublin County v other counties and I won the Dublin league, the counties league and the Ireland league After that my dad up and moved and took us to England to find work and at the age 16 i took up training as a Boxer. I had no more fights until June 1993 where I had my first bareknuckle fight which I won isnce then I’ve had a further 11 BKB fights winning them all, thank god.
Question 2. Are there any gloved boxers out there that you think will make a successful switchover to BKB?
A. It’s a million dollar question because we’ve got some very good ring boxers at the moment that I don’t believe would make it in BKB, whereas there’s some middle of the road fighters that would be perfect for the sport. This is because it’s all
down to training; you’ve got to train yourself for BKB as it’s a different type of fighting.In gloved boxing they would train on the bag for say 5 x 3 or 10 x 3 minutes whereas in BKB we hit the bag for 35-45 minutes nonstop, this is to build up your stamina for the long haul and push your body to the limit, and t helps to pace yourself as well. It’s a different type of fighting and you need to train specially for BKB. People think once gloved boxers get towards the end of their career they will make the switch to BKB, I don’t believe this, what I predict is that within 4-5 years BKB will take over from Gloved boxing and some of the future stars will come from the travelling and settled community.Once the sport is sanctioned there are some great young fighters out there who can come forward and it’s a great opportunity as this sport is going
no-where but forward. With some great venues and great management the future for the sport is huge.
Question 3 Who has been your hardest Opponent up to date?
A. I’ve had some very tough fights against the Nevins and the Joyce’s and some people have said,” James that was an eas one “, but there are no easy fights. I take no one for granted and some fights might look as though they are easy but it’s only because I’ve put the work in beforehand and prepared myself to the top of my ability, and if the opponents don’t, well that’s their problem. It’s not just having a great physique and training well that lets you succeed in BKB its having heart. It has to be your head and heart working together; I’ve known some great gloved boxers that have took up BKB and fell
apart because the hearts not there, and you’ve either got it or you
haven’t.
Question 4. Its common knowledge James and is shown in the film Knuckle that pride and honour play a huge part in BKB within the travelling community as regards to the fights that take place, how will this change when the sport becomes sanctioned and non-travellers are competing for money with travellers?
A. Pride and honour will always be there within the traveling community, each family will still want to be the top dog of an area, a borough and it will always be a means of settling feuds and arguments. In the next era of BKB when we have all
types of fighters competing there will still be pride at stake whether it’s for a regional, national or world title as well as the prize money and belts that will be offered. Fans and fighters of BKB will come on board, and I look forward in the helping and organising of some great fights for the fans and followers of the sport. With the corruption, the politics and the amount of world champions in gloved boxing at the minute these are exciting times for us all involved.
Question 5 Is there a proposed follow up to the film/doc Knuckle and what are your plans for the future?
A. Well there are talks of a sort of follow up to Knuckle, I have plans and ideas that have been put on paper and I’m looking forward to working on this. Knuckle itself has been a great success and it is already at the cinemas in the States and is due to be released in Australia in Feb/March. I also have an Autobiography called “Knuckle” by Harper Collins which is due in the shops soon as well which will give an in-depth account of my life.
Question 6 Reading your last answer is this the way forward for you once you retire from the fight-game itself?
A. I have been really busy at the moment with such things as my book which is due out on 16 th Feb , knuckle and other projects; I’m also getting involved in the sanctioning of the sport of BKB and I’m working on bringing in some great
sponsorship and organisations to propel BKB to the forefront of mainstream television. Ian palmer will also be working with me on some future projects I have in mind.
Question 7. You are generally regarded as the best BKB traveller out there, is there anyone at the moment that you think could make their own mark and take over this position once you retire?
A. Well since the film Knuckle was released it has certainly stopped a lot of the feuding that was happening but it has given the young fighters from both the traveller and settled communities encouragement to take up the sport and we should see some young blood coming into BKB with the promise of a good living available to those who compete. In my own large family My cousin young jj also seems to be doing well at the moment as well, and also there are some good fighters on my wife’s side of the family, so all in all its an exciting time ahead for all involved and fans alike.
Question 8 Can you tell the readers why they should watch BKB as opposed to other forms of fighting?
A. Well, Even though Bareknuckle Boxing has been going on for centuries it has remained underground for far too long, I will do my best and use all my contacts that I’ve gathered over the years to help bring this great sport forward and to get it properly controlled and regulated with a credible sanctioning body and be available to the public to view as a mainstream sport with some great venues and huge crowds.
Question 9 Finally James who do you regard as the best BKB fighter of all time at heavyweight?
A. My favourite two as its difficult just picking one has to be the great John l Sullivan and Dan Rooney.
Well thank you James for giving up your for the questions.
Age………………40+
Weight…………17 stone
Height………….6ft 2 inches
Stance…………Orthodox
Birthplace…….Ireland
Nickname…….The Mighty Quinn
Question 1. Can you tell me what got you into fighting an what age did you start?
A. I started boxing at the age of 12-13, I had 12 amateur fights over a 3 year period losing my first and losing my last fight. I boxed for Dublin v London, Dublin County v other counties and I won the Dublin league, the counties league and the Ireland league After that my dad up and moved and took us to England to find work and at the age 16 i took up training as a Boxer. I had no more fights until June 1993 where I had my first bareknuckle fight which I won isnce then I’ve had a further 11 BKB fights winning them all, thank god.
Question 2. Are there any gloved boxers out there that you think will make a successful switchover to BKB?
A. It’s a million dollar question because we’ve got some very good ring boxers at the moment that I don’t believe would make it in BKB, whereas there’s some middle of the road fighters that would be perfect for the sport. This is because it’s all
down to training; you’ve got to train yourself for BKB as it’s a different type of fighting.In gloved boxing they would train on the bag for say 5 x 3 or 10 x 3 minutes whereas in BKB we hit the bag for 35-45 minutes nonstop, this is to build up your stamina for the long haul and push your body to the limit, and t helps to pace yourself as well. It’s a different type of fighting and you need to train specially for BKB. People think once gloved boxers get towards the end of their career they will make the switch to BKB, I don’t believe this, what I predict is that within 4-5 years BKB will take over from Gloved boxing and some of the future stars will come from the travelling and settled community.Once the sport is sanctioned there are some great young fighters out there who can come forward and it’s a great opportunity as this sport is going
no-where but forward. With some great venues and great management the future for the sport is huge.
Question 3 Who has been your hardest Opponent up to date?
A. I’ve had some very tough fights against the Nevins and the Joyce’s and some people have said,” James that was an eas one “, but there are no easy fights. I take no one for granted and some fights might look as though they are easy but it’s only because I’ve put the work in beforehand and prepared myself to the top of my ability, and if the opponents don’t, well that’s their problem. It’s not just having a great physique and training well that lets you succeed in BKB its having heart. It has to be your head and heart working together; I’ve known some great gloved boxers that have took up BKB and fell
apart because the hearts not there, and you’ve either got it or you
haven’t.
Question 4. Its common knowledge James and is shown in the film Knuckle that pride and honour play a huge part in BKB within the travelling community as regards to the fights that take place, how will this change when the sport becomes sanctioned and non-travellers are competing for money with travellers?
A. Pride and honour will always be there within the traveling community, each family will still want to be the top dog of an area, a borough and it will always be a means of settling feuds and arguments. In the next era of BKB when we have all
types of fighters competing there will still be pride at stake whether it’s for a regional, national or world title as well as the prize money and belts that will be offered. Fans and fighters of BKB will come on board, and I look forward in the helping and organising of some great fights for the fans and followers of the sport. With the corruption, the politics and the amount of world champions in gloved boxing at the minute these are exciting times for us all involved.
Question 5 Is there a proposed follow up to the film/doc Knuckle and what are your plans for the future?
A. Well there are talks of a sort of follow up to Knuckle, I have plans and ideas that have been put on paper and I’m looking forward to working on this. Knuckle itself has been a great success and it is already at the cinemas in the States and is due to be released in Australia in Feb/March. I also have an Autobiography called “Knuckle” by Harper Collins which is due in the shops soon as well which will give an in-depth account of my life.
Question 6 Reading your last answer is this the way forward for you once you retire from the fight-game itself?
A. I have been really busy at the moment with such things as my book which is due out on 16 th Feb , knuckle and other projects; I’m also getting involved in the sanctioning of the sport of BKB and I’m working on bringing in some great
sponsorship and organisations to propel BKB to the forefront of mainstream television. Ian palmer will also be working with me on some future projects I have in mind.
Question 7. You are generally regarded as the best BKB traveller out there, is there anyone at the moment that you think could make their own mark and take over this position once you retire?
A. Well since the film Knuckle was released it has certainly stopped a lot of the feuding that was happening but it has given the young fighters from both the traveller and settled communities encouragement to take up the sport and we should see some young blood coming into BKB with the promise of a good living available to those who compete. In my own large family My cousin young jj also seems to be doing well at the moment as well, and also there are some good fighters on my wife’s side of the family, so all in all its an exciting time ahead for all involved and fans alike.
Question 8 Can you tell the readers why they should watch BKB as opposed to other forms of fighting?
A. Well, Even though Bareknuckle Boxing has been going on for centuries it has remained underground for far too long, I will do my best and use all my contacts that I’ve gathered over the years to help bring this great sport forward and to get it properly controlled and regulated with a credible sanctioning body and be available to the public to view as a mainstream sport with some great venues and huge crowds.
Question 9 Finally James who do you regard as the best BKB fighter of all time at heavyweight?
A. My favourite two as its difficult just picking one has to be the great John l Sullivan and Dan Rooney.
Well thank you James for giving up your for the questions.
Uriah Burton
In The Cambrian Mountains, Powys, lies a monument built by
Uriah burton in memory of his Father Ernest Burton who was born 1895.
Here is a newspaper article from 1963 with a great story of how the monument was
built.
http://gypsytrailercaravans.webeden.co.uk/#/big-just/4533622715
Uriah was the uncle to Bartley Gorman and indeed champion
Bareknuckle Boxer of Ireland and UK himself.
Uriah burton in memory of his Father Ernest Burton who was born 1895.
Here is a newspaper article from 1963 with a great story of how the monument was
built.
http://gypsytrailercaravans.webeden.co.uk/#/big-just/4533622715
Uriah was the uncle to Bartley Gorman and indeed champion
Bareknuckle Boxer of Ireland and UK himself.
DAN ROONEY
Dan Rooney pictured on the right fought a great fight with Anley McGinley and the link to the fight is below. its unfortunately poor quality but thats the only one available i believe. As many great fighters before him including Bendigo Thompson he found god after his fighting days and travels the country preaching the word.
JOE " THE HULK " JOYCE
PADDY "JAWS" WARD V BARNEY MCGINLEY
Paddy Ward is an Irish Traveller boxer from Mullingar, Co.Westmeath. He's the guy wearing all black. His opponent in this fight is Barney McGinley, a 27 year old Galway native.
Paddy Ward looks to be about 6 ft 4 in, 15 st. Barney McGinley is a bit smaller and a bit heavier.
CHARLIE WARD V NED WARD
A MIXED SELECTION OF BAREKNUCKLE FIGHTS
A GREAT LINK TO SOME INFO ON THE BOXING BOOTHS AND LIFE OF A TRAVELLING FAMILY
http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/smith.htm
GYPSY JOE SMITH
Gypsy Joe Smith launches book
Jun 10 2009 By Sean O'Hare, Uxbridge Gazette
Joe Smith
I KNEW of Gypsy Joe Smith long before he knew of me. I had seen him humming a tune and tucking into jellied eels by the shellfish bar his sister runs outside the West Drayton British Legion.
I had also seen him in the bookies, playing the roulette machine with Trevor, his stepson, whom he took into his care when his mother died and his father went to prison for armed robbery.
And I had seen him firmly shake the hands of the older drinkers outside The Five Bells in Harmondsworth before offering to buy them a round.
What intrigued me about Joe, aside from the fact he was a champion bare-knuckle fighter and golfing professional, was his politeness and presence.
It struck me that unlike some men who share a similarly thickset 6ft 2in frame and reputation, he didn't wallow in it. In fact, it was as if he almost went out of his way to put people at ease.
When I heard from a friend who works at Joe's scrap metal yard in Yiewsley that he had written an autobiography, I decided it was time to meet him.
I met him at the British Legion and bought him a bottle of Holsten Pils. He poured the lager into a half pint glass and topped it up with concentrated cherry juice from a carton he had brought in with him.
Apparently it is good for the joints - a key consideration when you bear in mind he has been bare-knuckle fighting and playing golf since he was seven.
And, while at 38 his boxing career may well be behind him, his dream to play in golf's Open Championship, something that has narrowly eluded him three times in the past, is still very much on the horizon.
In fact, such is his determination and confidence that he will qualify and play in the Open within the next decade that he has promised to refund the cost of his book should he not.
Born in Isleworth in 1971 the fourth of six children, he spent his formative years travelling around the south of England in a caravan with his family, his father dealing in scrap metal, his mother selling lucky heather.
As was often the case for young gypsy children, school did not feature in Joe's life, so it was by good fortune that a man called Jim Needle approached the Portsmouth camp where the Smiths were residing in 1979 and, by Joe's own
admission, changed his life.
"He explained he was not from the government or the council, or anyone else for that matter. He did not want paying, he did not want anything, but he would teach the children to read.
"My parents took him at face value and made him welcome in our caravan and he sat me down and patiently taught me to read over a period of months.
Learning to read and write opened up a whole new world for me.
Indeed, had it not been for Mr Needle, Joe's autobiography would never have seen the light of day.
While the book has a winning combination of cultural reference, sporting achievement, criminality and complete frankness, the central hook from which everything else hangs is the promise a 12-year-old Joe made to the man
responsible for teaching him to play golf: his grandfather, Rymer.
Within four years of pledging to become a golf pro, Joe had become London junior open champion, and belonged to the prestigious Home Park Golf Club, close to Hampton Court.
It was here, however, that things started to go wrong. A petty row over the cost of a sandwich, which Joe's dad refused to pay out of principle after being charged for it despite not ordering it, resulted in Joe being asked for his resignation.
He explains: "The bottom line was that some of the members were embarrassed about having a 'pikey' representing their club.
"At first I was incensed with my dad. Why didn't he just pay the bill? He could have done.
"But then I started to see that it was prejudice and nothing else why I was kicked out. Their decision set me on a road that partially closed and soured my open mind ."
Turning his back on golf and returning to the more traditional gypsy pastime, bare-knuckle fighting, he channelled his frustration and talent into seeing off contender after contender and becoming known as a force to be reckoned with.
Beating a 25-year-old seasoned fighter at a gypsy camp in Cranford, the 18-year-old Joe was handed £5,000 for his efforts and developed a hunger for more.
"I was wild as a hawk at that time. I felt I could fight and beat anyone.
"No longer was I the big, quiet kid in the corner with the weird obsession with golf. It was an intoxicating thing for an 18-year-old to be accepted into the circles of fighters, old lags and gangsters."
A spell on remand for a crime which would have resulted in Joe spending at least four years behind bars was enough, however, to make him see sense. Getting off on a technicality, Joe reminded himself of the promise he made to his
grandfather and returned to golf.
Having not picked up a club in four years the return to form was a long and arduous journey. Eighteen months later, and with his wife, Christine, who was eight and a half months pregnant, as his caddy, he won his first cheque as a pro
at the British Professional Golf Tour at Colingtree Park, Northampton.
"It was not a huge amount but it was the first time I had won money as a professional from a recognised tournament and therefore I had achieved my dad's and Rymer's dream for me," he said.
Having realised his golfing ambition, he decided to take a break, lose three and a half stone and have one final pop at a career as a fighter. A strict training regime followed which involved road building at Harmondsworth Moors in
the morning and a strict diet, minus the booze, roll ups and fry ups.
Incidentally, his last full monty break-fast of double egg, chips, treble sausage and beans before going on a diet was ruined by a certain Levi Bellfield, a former West Drayton man who has since been locked up for the brutal murders of
Amelie Delagrange and Marsha McDonnell.
Joe explained: "I was in my favourite cafe, had gout at the time and was on crutches, which were propped up next to my table.
"Levi walked in and announced to all and sundry that he was the guvnor and that this was his patch. It was a strange thing to declare in a barely full café in the early hours of a week-day morning and I guessed it was for my benefit.
"Then he said it again. I had no desire to be 'the guvnor', but he was beginning to get on my nerves.
"I put my knife and fork together, wiped my mouth, got up on one crutch and launched him across the café.
"He fell into a heap and made no attempt to get up. Knowing what I know about him now, I wish I had killed him."
After a series of victorious fights on the unlicensed circuit, incorporating trips to venues such as Bethnal Green's famous York Hall and a disused factory in Milton Keynes, Joe took the London Heavyweight Unlicensed Championship after
defeating a 6ft 4in, 22-year-old Irishman at Osterley.
It's clear, then, that Joe Smith is no ordinary Joe. There aren't many men out there who can boast of reaching a professional level in two sports, as well as having a book published despite receiving no formal education.
But that's just it: Joe doesn't boast, he's not that sort. In fact, what with professional footballer Freddie Eastwood as a cousin, bare knuckle champion and fellow author Jimmy Stockins as another, and a wife who herself was once a
Middlesex champion 1500m runner, winning is in the genes. [25cf] The book, Gypsy Joe: Bare-knuckle Fighter, Professional Golfer, can be bought at www.londonbooks.co.uk
Jun 10 2009 By Sean O'Hare, Uxbridge Gazette
Joe Smith
I KNEW of Gypsy Joe Smith long before he knew of me. I had seen him humming a tune and tucking into jellied eels by the shellfish bar his sister runs outside the West Drayton British Legion.
I had also seen him in the bookies, playing the roulette machine with Trevor, his stepson, whom he took into his care when his mother died and his father went to prison for armed robbery.
And I had seen him firmly shake the hands of the older drinkers outside The Five Bells in Harmondsworth before offering to buy them a round.
What intrigued me about Joe, aside from the fact he was a champion bare-knuckle fighter and golfing professional, was his politeness and presence.
It struck me that unlike some men who share a similarly thickset 6ft 2in frame and reputation, he didn't wallow in it. In fact, it was as if he almost went out of his way to put people at ease.
When I heard from a friend who works at Joe's scrap metal yard in Yiewsley that he had written an autobiography, I decided it was time to meet him.
I met him at the British Legion and bought him a bottle of Holsten Pils. He poured the lager into a half pint glass and topped it up with concentrated cherry juice from a carton he had brought in with him.
Apparently it is good for the joints - a key consideration when you bear in mind he has been bare-knuckle fighting and playing golf since he was seven.
And, while at 38 his boxing career may well be behind him, his dream to play in golf's Open Championship, something that has narrowly eluded him three times in the past, is still very much on the horizon.
In fact, such is his determination and confidence that he will qualify and play in the Open within the next decade that he has promised to refund the cost of his book should he not.
Born in Isleworth in 1971 the fourth of six children, he spent his formative years travelling around the south of England in a caravan with his family, his father dealing in scrap metal, his mother selling lucky heather.
As was often the case for young gypsy children, school did not feature in Joe's life, so it was by good fortune that a man called Jim Needle approached the Portsmouth camp where the Smiths were residing in 1979 and, by Joe's own
admission, changed his life.
"He explained he was not from the government or the council, or anyone else for that matter. He did not want paying, he did not want anything, but he would teach the children to read.
"My parents took him at face value and made him welcome in our caravan and he sat me down and patiently taught me to read over a period of months.
Learning to read and write opened up a whole new world for me.
Indeed, had it not been for Mr Needle, Joe's autobiography would never have seen the light of day.
While the book has a winning combination of cultural reference, sporting achievement, criminality and complete frankness, the central hook from which everything else hangs is the promise a 12-year-old Joe made to the man
responsible for teaching him to play golf: his grandfather, Rymer.
Within four years of pledging to become a golf pro, Joe had become London junior open champion, and belonged to the prestigious Home Park Golf Club, close to Hampton Court.
It was here, however, that things started to go wrong. A petty row over the cost of a sandwich, which Joe's dad refused to pay out of principle after being charged for it despite not ordering it, resulted in Joe being asked for his resignation.
He explains: "The bottom line was that some of the members were embarrassed about having a 'pikey' representing their club.
"At first I was incensed with my dad. Why didn't he just pay the bill? He could have done.
"But then I started to see that it was prejudice and nothing else why I was kicked out. Their decision set me on a road that partially closed and soured my open mind ."
Turning his back on golf and returning to the more traditional gypsy pastime, bare-knuckle fighting, he channelled his frustration and talent into seeing off contender after contender and becoming known as a force to be reckoned with.
Beating a 25-year-old seasoned fighter at a gypsy camp in Cranford, the 18-year-old Joe was handed £5,000 for his efforts and developed a hunger for more.
"I was wild as a hawk at that time. I felt I could fight and beat anyone.
"No longer was I the big, quiet kid in the corner with the weird obsession with golf. It was an intoxicating thing for an 18-year-old to be accepted into the circles of fighters, old lags and gangsters."
A spell on remand for a crime which would have resulted in Joe spending at least four years behind bars was enough, however, to make him see sense. Getting off on a technicality, Joe reminded himself of the promise he made to his
grandfather and returned to golf.
Having not picked up a club in four years the return to form was a long and arduous journey. Eighteen months later, and with his wife, Christine, who was eight and a half months pregnant, as his caddy, he won his first cheque as a pro
at the British Professional Golf Tour at Colingtree Park, Northampton.
"It was not a huge amount but it was the first time I had won money as a professional from a recognised tournament and therefore I had achieved my dad's and Rymer's dream for me," he said.
Having realised his golfing ambition, he decided to take a break, lose three and a half stone and have one final pop at a career as a fighter. A strict training regime followed which involved road building at Harmondsworth Moors in
the morning and a strict diet, minus the booze, roll ups and fry ups.
Incidentally, his last full monty break-fast of double egg, chips, treble sausage and beans before going on a diet was ruined by a certain Levi Bellfield, a former West Drayton man who has since been locked up for the brutal murders of
Amelie Delagrange and Marsha McDonnell.
Joe explained: "I was in my favourite cafe, had gout at the time and was on crutches, which were propped up next to my table.
"Levi walked in and announced to all and sundry that he was the guvnor and that this was his patch. It was a strange thing to declare in a barely full café in the early hours of a week-day morning and I guessed it was for my benefit.
"Then he said it again. I had no desire to be 'the guvnor', but he was beginning to get on my nerves.
"I put my knife and fork together, wiped my mouth, got up on one crutch and launched him across the café.
"He fell into a heap and made no attempt to get up. Knowing what I know about him now, I wish I had killed him."
After a series of victorious fights on the unlicensed circuit, incorporating trips to venues such as Bethnal Green's famous York Hall and a disused factory in Milton Keynes, Joe took the London Heavyweight Unlicensed Championship after
defeating a 6ft 4in, 22-year-old Irishman at Osterley.
It's clear, then, that Joe Smith is no ordinary Joe. There aren't many men out there who can boast of reaching a professional level in two sports, as well as having a book published despite receiving no formal education.
But that's just it: Joe doesn't boast, he's not that sort. In fact, what with professional footballer Freddie Eastwood as a cousin, bare knuckle champion and fellow author Jimmy Stockins as another, and a wife who herself was once a
Middlesex champion 1500m runner, winning is in the genes. [25cf] The book, Gypsy Joe: Bare-knuckle Fighter, Professional Golfer, can be bought at www.londonbooks.co.uk
GYPSY JACK COOPER
Below is one link for great info on Gypsy Jack Cooper
http://www.famous-fights.com/
This is a link from Vol 3 of Boxiania
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5HA9AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA417&lpg=PA417&dq=gypsy+jack+cooper&source=bl&ots=QZEQhWd4sM&sig=ARzW6m0k4ubOixL5LWq5Feaf_ow&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dO6lUdL4EI6S0AXEwoH4AQ&ved=0CFMQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=gypsy%20jack%20cooper&f=false