I know alot of Roy Shaw, Lenny McLean, Johnny Waldron, Paddy Monagahn and others, but can anyone tell me more about Bartley Gorman and Joe Savage?
Bartley Gorman has an autobiography out, King Of The Gypsies. Put his name in amazon and it brings it up.
Also Shane Meadows the film director (This Is England, Dead Mans Shoes, Once Upon A Time In The Midlands, Twenty Four Seven, A Room For Romeo Brass) wants to make a film about his life. He actually made a short film/doc when he was unknown called King Of The Gypsies but has said once he has the backing to do it justice he would make a feature length. Paddy Considine would probably play Bartley as he is close with Shane and is interested in the project too.
Bartley Gorman's book "King of the Gypsies" is one of the best books I've ever read. I highly recommend it.
The ones that matter the most are the ones who fought before 1880. They are boxing history personified.
Wasn't Joe Savage the guy who got his arse kicked and bottled it in that heavyweight tournament in the late 80s?
Paddy Considine's bizarre accent in a Room for Romeo Brass was based on Bartley Gorman's own voice. Search for an interview with BG on youtube and you will see the resemblance. Great film btw. For a number of years BG lived in a gypsy camp not more than 2 miles from my house. A number of lads from his extended family still live there and are very well known in the larger community, its fair to say. Hard as nails and do very well in the amateurs as well as up town at the weekend,