
Fighters: The Lives and Sad Deaths of Freddie Mills and
Randolph Turpin
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Author: |
James Morton |
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Released: |
2004 |
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Pages: |
416 (Paperback) ;
384 (Hardback) |
Synopsis
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
murderer, the killer of prostitutes in Hammersmith?
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