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Bartley Gorman V (1 March 1944 – 18 January 2002) was a British bare-knuckle boxer.

Born in England to Irish Travellers, Gorman called himself "the King of the Gypsies".^[1] Between 1972-92, 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 streets. Several of Gorman's relatives have become professional boxers, including Nathan Gorman,^[2]^[3] Hughie Fury and Tyson Fury.^[4]

Early life

Gorman was born on 1 March 1944, in Giltbrook, Nottinghamshire, England, to a Welsh father and Irish mother, who were both Travellers.^[1] His paternal grandfather and great-grandfather were bare-knuckle fighters.^[5] Gorman had his first bare-knuckle fight at the age of 12 years old.

Career

When he won the title of Bareknuckle Champion of Great Britain and Ireland sometime around 1972/73, having beaten rival Jack Fletcher in a fight at a quarry, he was 28, 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall and weighed 15.5 stone (98 kg), (217 lbs).^[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 Muhammad 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 left devastated.

Retirement and death

Gorman claimed to remain unbeaten until his retirement in 1992, with his last fight a draw with Graeme O'Laughlan (Kennedy). Gorman built a house on his own land in Uttoxeter, and lived there till his death on 18 January 2002.^[6]

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.^[9]^[10] Gorman has 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. 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 Gorman's.

References

^ ^a ^b "Bartley Gorman". The Daily Telegraph. 23 January 2002. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
^ "Tommy Fury & Nathan Gorman on following brother Tyson and great uncle Bartley". 17 December 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
^ "Nathan Gorman - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
^ "Tyson Fury: Reflections of a gypsy fighter". The Independent. 30 October 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
^ Anselmi, Eduardo (September 2009). "Bartley Gorman King of the Gypsies". Maxim. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
^ ^a ^b Moreton, Cole (27 January 2002). "Eyewitness: Last great bare-knuckle champion is laid to rest". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2 March 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
^ "Bartley Gorman King of the Gypsies". BBC. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
^ Barry, Paul (18 April 2002). "Barenuckle boxer laid bare". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
^ Vineyard, Jennifer (17 July 2012). "Tom Hardy explains the inspiration for his Bane voice". Vulture.com. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
^ "This Week's Cover: 'The Dark Knight Rises' headlines our 2012 Summer Movie Preview issue". 11 April 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2013.

[telegraph-1] "Bartley Gorman". The Daily Telegraph. 23 January 2002. Retrieved 12 September 2010.

[2] "Tommy Fury & Nathan Gorman on following brother Tyson and great uncle Bartley". 17 December 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2019.

[3] "Nathan Gorman - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 6 July 2019.

[4] "Tyson Fury: Reflections of a gypsy fighter". The Independent. 30 October 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2019.

[maxim-5] Anselmi, Eduardo (September 2009). "Bartley Gorman King of the Gypsies". Maxim. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2013.

[independent-6] Moreton, Cole (27 January 2002). "Eyewitness: Last great bare-knuckle champion is laid to rest". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2 March 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2010.

[bbc-7] "Bartley Gorman King of the Gypsies". BBC. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2010.

[coventrytelegraph-8] Barry, Paul (18 April 2002). "Barenuckle boxer laid bare". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 12 September 2010.

[vulture-9] Vineyard, Jennifer (17 July 2012). "Tom Hardy explains the inspiration for his Bane voice". Vulture.com. Retrieved 22 July 2012.

[10] "This Week's Cover: 'The Dark Knight Rises' headlines our 2012 Summer Movie Preview issue". 11 April 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2013.

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-{{short description|British boxer}}
+{{Short description|British boxer (1944–2002)}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
 {{Use British English|date=June 2015}}
-{{Disputed|date=March 2008}}
+'''Bartley Gorman V''' (1 March 1944 – 18 January 2002) was a British [[bare-knuckle boxer]].
-'''Bartley Gorman V''' (1 March 1944 – 18 January 2002) was a [[Irish_Travellers|Traveller]], who was a [[bare-knuckle boxer]] of Irish descent, he declared himself as the [[King of the Gypsies]].<ref name="telegraph">{{Cite news |title=Bartley Gorman |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=23 January 2002 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1382337/Bartley-Gorman.html |access-date=12 September 2010}}</ref> 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 Gorman have become professional boxers in recent years, including [[Nathan Gorman (boxer)|Nathan Gorman]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/46583128 |title=Tommy Fury & Nathan Gorman on following brother Tyson and great uncle Bartley |date=2018-12-17 |access-date=2019-07-06 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Nathan_Gorman|title=Nathan Gorman - BoxRec |website=boxrec.com |access-date=2019-07-06}}</ref>  [[Hughie Fury]] and [[Tyson Fury]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/tyson-fury-reflections-of-a-gypsy-fighter-2377876.html |title=Tyson Fury: Reflections of a gypsy fighter |date=2011-10-30 |website=The Independent |language=en |access-date=2019-07-06}}</ref>
+Born in England to [[Irish Travellers]], Gorman called himself "the [[King of the Gypsies]]".<ref name="telegraph">{{Cite news |title=Bartley Gorman |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=23 January 2002 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1382337/Bartley-Gorman.html |access-date=12 September 2010}}</ref> Between 1972-92, 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 streets. Several of Gorman's relatives have become professional boxers, including [[Nathan Gorman]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/46583128 |title=Tommy Fury & Nathan Gorman on following brother Tyson and great uncle Bartley |date=2018-12-17 |access-date=2019-07-06 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Nathan_Gorman|title=Nathan Gorman - BoxRec |website=boxrec.com |access-date=2019-07-06}}</ref> [[Hughie Fury]] and [[Tyson Fury]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/tyson-fury-reflections-of-a-gypsy-fighter-2377876.html |title=Tyson Fury: Reflections of a gypsy fighter |date=2011-10-30 |website=The Independent |language=en |access-date=2019-07-06}}</ref>
 ==Early life==
-Gorman was born on 1 March 1944, in [[Nottingham]], [[England]], to a [[Wales|Welsh]] father who did not fight and [[Irish Traveller|Irish]] mother who did, who were both Travellers. <ref name="telegraph" /> His paternal grandfather and great-grandfather were also boxers.<ref name="maxim">{{Cite web |title=Bartley Gorman King of the Gypsies |first=Eduardo |last=Anselmi |date=September 2009 |work=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] |url=http://www.maxim.co.uk/features/articles/18502/bartley_gorman.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716135126/http://www.maxim.co.uk/features/articles/18502/bartley_gorman.html |archive-date=2011-07-16 |access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> 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.
+Gorman was born on 1 March 1944, in [[Giltbrook]], [[Nottinghamshire]], England, to a [[Wales|Welsh]] father and [[Irish Travellers|Irish]] mother, who were both Travellers.<ref name="telegraph" /> His paternal grandfather and great-grandfather were bare-knuckle fighters.<ref name="maxim">{{Cite web |title=Bartley Gorman King of the Gypsies |first=Eduardo |last=Anselmi |date=September 2009 |work=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] |url=http://www.maxim.co.uk/features/articles/18502/bartley_gorman.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716135126/http://www.maxim.co.uk/features/articles/18502/bartley_gorman.html |archive-date=2011-07-16 |access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> Gorman had his first bare-knuckle fight at the age of 12 years old.
-<ref name="independent">{{Cite news |title=Eyewitness: Last great bare-knuckle champion is laid to rest |first=Cole |last=Moreton |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=27 January 2002 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/eyewitness-last-great-bareknuckle-champion-is-laid-to-rest-671080.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302165758/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/eyewitness-last-great-bareknuckle-champion-is-laid-to-rest-671080.html |archive-date=2009-03-02 |access-date=12 September 2010}}<!--added archiveurl due to host server error--></ref>
 ==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 {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on}} tall and weighed {{convert|15.5|st|kg|abbr=}}.<ref name="independent" /><ref name="bbc">{{Cite news |title=Bartley Gorman King of the Gypsies |newspaper=[[BBC]] |date=5 April 2006 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/04/05/local_heroes_bartley_gorman_feature.shtml |access-date=12 September 2010}}</ref>
+When he won the title of Bareknuckle Champion of Great Britain and Ireland sometime around 1972/73, having beaten rival Jack Fletcher in a fight at a [[quarry]], he was 28, {{cvt|6|ft|1|in|m|2}} tall and weighed {{convert|15.5|st|kg}}, (217 lbs).<ref name="independent" /><ref name="bbc">{{Cite news |title=Bartley Gorman King of the Gypsies |newspaper=[[BBC]] |date=5 April 2006 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/04/05/local_heroes_bartley_gorman_feature.shtml |access-date=12 September 2010}}</ref>
-On [[St. Leger Stakes|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.<ref name="coventrytelegraph">{{Cite news |title=Barenuckle boxer laid bare |first=Paul |last=Barry |newspaper=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=18 April 2002 |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/lifestyle/nostalgia/barenuckle-boxer-laid-bare-3171380|access-date=12 September 2010}}</ref> 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."
+On [[St Leger Stakes|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.<ref name="coventrytelegraph">{{Cite news |title=Barenuckle boxer laid bare |first=Paul |last=Barry |newspaper=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |date=18 April 2002 |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/lifestyle/nostalgia/barenuckle-boxer-laid-bare-3171380|access-date=12 September 2010}}</ref> 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 (boxer)|David Pearce]] signed to fight for the World unlicensed title after Pearce KO'd former [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] World Heavyweight Champion [[John Tate]], in [[California]]. Gorman said; "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]].
+Bartley Gorman and [[David Pearce (boxer)|David Pearce]] signed to fight for the World unlicensed title after Pearce KO'd former [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] World Heavyweight Champion [[John Tate (boxer)|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 [[Muhammad 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 left devastated.
-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 in 1992, with his last fight a draw with Graeme O'Laughlan (Kennedy). Gorman built a house on his own land in [[Uttoxeter]], and lived there till his death on 18 January 2002.<ref name="independent">{{Cite news |title=Eyewitness: Last great bare-knuckle champion is laid to rest |first=Cole |last=Moreton |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=27 January 2002 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/eyewitness-last-great-bareknuckle-champion-is-laid-to-rest-671080.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302165758/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/eyewitness-last-great-bareknuckle-champion-is-laid-to-rest-671080.html |archive-date=2009-03-02 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 September 2010}}<!--added archive-url due to host server error--></ref>
-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
-<ref>{{Cite web|title=Click here to view the tribute page for Bartley GORMAN|url=https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/bartley+gorman/3165590|access-date=2021-02-03|website=funeral-notices.co.uk|language=en}}</ref>
 ==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 (comics)|Bane]].<ref name="vulture">{{Cite news |title=Tom Hardy explains the inspiration for his Bane voice |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |newspaper=[[Vulture.com]] |date=17 July 2012 |url=http://www.vulture.com/2012/07/tom-hardy-explains-his-bane-voice-inspiration.html?mid=nymag_press |access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 April 2012 |title=This Week's Cover: 'The Dark Knight Rises' headlines our 2012 Summer Movie Preview issue |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/04/11/this-weeks-cover-the-dark-knight-rises-headlines-our-2012-summer-movie-preview-issue/|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> Gorman has also been cited as the main inspiration for professional wrestler [[Wade Barrett]]'s finishing move, the Bull Hammer Elbow.
+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 (comics)|Bane]].<ref name="vulture">{{Cite news |title=Tom Hardy explains the inspiration for his Bane voice |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |newspaper=[[Vulture.com]] |date=17 July 2012 |url=http://www.vulture.com/2012/07/tom-hardy-explains-his-bane-voice-inspiration.html?mid=nymag_press |access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 April 2012 |title=This Week's Cover: 'The Dark Knight Rises' headlines our 2012 Summer Movie Preview issue |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/04/11/this-weeks-cover-the-dark-knight-rises-headlines-our-2012-summer-movie-preview-issue/|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> Gorman has 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.
+Gorman's autobiography ''King of the Gypsies'', written with the help of Peter Walsh, was completed just before Gorman's death. 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 Gorman's.
-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 ==
-{{reflist}}
+{{reflist|30em}}
-== External links ==
-<!-- already cited in article * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/04/05/local_heroes_bartley_gorman_feature.shtml BBC report on Bartley Gorman] -->
 {{Authority control}}
@@ Line 42: / Line 32: @@
 [[Category:1944 births]]
 [[Category:2002 deaths]]
-[[Category:Bare-knuckle boxers]]
 [[Category:English male boxers]]
-[[Category:English people of Welsh descent]]
+[[Category:English bare-knuckle boxers]]
 [[Category:English people of Irish descent]]
+[[Category:English people of Welsh descent]]
+[[Category:Fury family]]
 [[Category:Irish Travellers from England]]
 [[Category:Irish Traveller sportspeople]]
 [[Category:People from Bedworth]]
+[[Category:20th-century English sportsmen]]

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