Fighters: The Lives and Sad Deaths of Freddie Mills and Randolph Turpin

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Fighters: The Lives and Sad Deaths of Freddie Mills and Randolph Turpin
Authors and Contributors      By (author) James Morton
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:416
Dimensions(mm): Height 198,Width 126
Category/GenreBiographies: Sport
True Crime
Boxing
ISBN/Barcode 9780751533217
ClassificationsDewey:796.830922
Audience
General
Illustrations Section: 8, b/w

Publishing Details

Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Imprint Sphere
Publication Date 6 January 2005
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

In July 1965 Freddie Mills, popular former light heavyweight champion of the world, was found shot in an alleyway off London's Charing Cross Road. Was he murdered and if so by whom? Did he kill himself and if so why should this happily married man whose popularity was immense take his own life? A year later Britain's second world champion of the era, the middleweight Randolph Turpin who defeated the fabulous Sugar Ray Robinson, was found shot dead in a room above his cafe in Leamington Spa. How did this man who earned thousands during his career come to end his life in a backstreet cafe? Or was he also murdered to prevent him getting the money due to him from his career? Morton looks at the role of their managers and promoters and the relationship with the Boxing Board of Control. Should many of Mills' fights and some of Turpin's have been sanctioned? Is this in part what led to their deaths? Where did their money go? Gambling, women, protection? Is there any possible truth in the persistent rumours that Mills was the so-called Jack the Stripper, killer of prostitutes in Hammersmith?

Author Biography

James Morton has had a life-long interest in boxing and was Chairman of the Southern Area Council before becoming a steward of the British Board of Boxing Control. He was also a solicitor specialising in criminal work for twenty-five years.

Reviews

For GANGLAND: 'Faithfully factual, gripping...prescribed reading' - Evening Standard 'The tales are told with a flourish in a fascinating, useful and lively history' - The Times For INTERNATIONAL GANGLAND: 'An utterly compelling read' - FHM 'An engrossing survey' - MAIL ON SUNDAY