Paul Sykes - The Movie

[Controversial]

Can you post a link please, can't find it

EDIT. Its ok found it, that was in 1973 too, five years before he turned pro

I think that was the year Sykes was in the ABAs, though he lost a controversial decision in the semis to the eventual winner. He was also meant to turn pro around then but he got locked up (again) and didn't turn over until five years later.

It might have been interesting if Sykes had turned professional circa '73 because he'd have been 26 or 27 then and coming to his peak. They wouldn't have had to rush him so much either had he been younger.

Thing is, it's pointless theorising about Sykes, his sort always find a way of screwing up.

I was just skim reading the chapter from his sister in Unfinished Agony, sounds like the dad was a nasty piece of work too, very strict and a bully, she reckons her dad punched her in the ribs and broke her nose because she asked her mum for a lift. The dad also used to hit Paul with the buckle end of a belt when he was naked in the bath, Paul was only aged around 6 at the time. No wonder he turned out like he did. His sister seems to think their dad was the reason he was like he was.



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[margaret thatcher]

Anyone know if his book is still out there for purchase?

[Controversial]

Anyone know if his book is still out there for purchase?

There are two I think, the one he wrote called Sweet Agony and another written by others called Unfinished Agony, they are on Amazon or Ebay.

EDIT. Actually there's a third book called Further Agony

[margaret thatcher]

Dang, they even have it cheap for kindle now, thanks for the heads up mates, I will get that for sure

But godt dang, first I say f@ck Sykes now here I am buying his book

[MasterG]

Anyone know if his book is still out there for purchase?

Plenty.

[Loftgroov]

Got me stuffed why the British , seem to idolize , , put up with ,, and hero worship these sort of idiots all the time , in other parts of the world its simple , someone would of shot him . . It really is a british thing , to idolize these thugs , bullys and cowards .

I don't think "idolize" is the right word. There is a sort of fascination with them though for whatever reason.

I've read the books on Sykes, Lee Duffy etc.

I certainly don't idolise them or even respect them - Duffy for example was obviously just a bullying cretin. But they are "interesting" reads. They aren't the sort of people you encounter in day-to-day life so reading about their exploits, no doubt some of which are embellished, is a reasonable way to pass a few hours.

[Noxy]

Yeah? You recommend them? I might have a read and all.

[MasterG]

I don't think "idolize" is the right word. There is a sort of fascination with them though for whatever reason.

I've read the books on Sykes, Lee Duffy etc.

I certainly don't idolise them or even respect them - Duffy for example was obviously just a bullying cretin. But they are "interesting" reads. They aren't the sort of people you encounter in day-to-day life so reading about their exploits, no doubt some of which are embellished, is a reasonable way to pass a few hours.

The author Jamie Boyle is in the process of writing a book about Scott Harrison too.

[Coco]

He is gonna start writing books about any prat who has been in nick

[Nightmare Roy]

Both his kids are doing life for murder so I’m guessing he wasn’t the best father

[dookus]

I don't think "idolize" is the right word. There is a sort of fascination with them though for whatever reason.

I've read the books on Sykes, Lee Duffy etc.

I certainly don't idolise them or even respect them - Duffy for example was obviously just a bullying cretin. But they are "interesting" reads. They aren't the sort of people you encounter in day-to-day life so reading about their exploits, no doubt some of which are embellished, is a reasonable way to pass a few hours.

Outlandish weirdos who find some way to impose themselves on this life, even if only for a short time, will always be fascinating. Duffy was, by most accounts, as worthless a human being as can be imagined, yet nearly 30 years after his death his name still keeps coming up

[Stuartd75]

Boyle appears to specialise in books on absolute scumbags. Has he ever written a book about someone that wasn't just a bully?

[MasterG]

I've read the books on Sykes, Lee Duffy etc.

I certainly don't idolise them or even respect them - Duffy for example was obviously just a bullying cretin. But they are "interesting" reads. They aren't the sort of people you encounter in day-to-day life so reading about their exploits, no doubt some of which are embellished, is a reasonable way to pass a few hours.

Outlandish weirdos who find some way to impose themselves on this life, even if only for a short time, will always be fascinating. Duffy was, by most accounts, as worthless a human being as can be imagined, yet nearly 30 years after his death his name still keeps coming up

Duffy did a good turn you can read my bit in the book that actually says something good.

[margaret thatcher]

Outlandish weirdos who find some way to impose themselves on this life, even if only for a short time, will always be fascinating. Duffy was, by most accounts, as worthless a human being as can be imagined, yet nearly 30 years after his death his name still keeps coming up

Duffy did a good turn you can read my bit in the book that actually says something good.

Your wrote in the book? You a big shot

[coneye]

Boyle appears to specialise in books on absolute scumbags. Has he ever written a book about someone that wasn't just a bully?

Theres a market for them , My brother in law , buys them , he would have every hardcase , gangsta book ever wrote , he reads them over and over , and after a while he talks like there his mates , He's actually a scotsman (glasgow ) who spent a lot of time in London , and now lives in Australia , , he will tell you every detail , of Jimmy Boyle i think it is , the scots guy who went on hunger strike , Paul Ferriss , , he knows every detail about every London gangsta , and even knws the names of chopper reads familly .

When he's not reading these over and over , the idiot is reading about scottish folklore , Wallace , ect. . were talking about a guy here who when the scottish leave England thing was on , a few years ago , heres an idiot sat in front of his tele , 12,000 miles away wearing a kilt , a flat hat , with his face painted blue shouting FREEEDOOOOM at the tele , , he looked like a fooking extra from Braveheart LOL

Thing is he's harmless but he believes every word in these books , and then somehow , manages in his own head to convince himself he's just like them . . Dunno enough people buy them so i suppose people like them , myself i would rather read about the real brave men , the adventures who travelled the world to unknown places and got eaten by the locals , captain cook for example

[TheGingerBomber]

I admire tough men, but I don’t like the glorification of gangsters and wronguns.

[coneye]

I admire tough men, but I don’t like the glorification of gangsters and wronguns.

[bynino]

I was watching that Sykes film. He just a wall-puncher. He reminds me a bit of "bad man" Frenchy.

[MasterG]

Duffy did a good turn you can read my bit in the book that actually says something good.

Your wrote in the book? You a big shot

I never wrote in the book at all

[banjo]

I was watching that Sykes film. He just a wall-puncher. He reminds me a bit of "bad man" Frenchy.

Wasn't Frenchy a European Kickboxing Champion though?

[bennie]

It is a shame that Sykes failed to regroup from the Gardner defeat because the domestic heavyweight division was crying out for a serious player with a bit of devil in his work as the 1970s drew to a close and Sykes fitted the bill perfectly. He badly hurt one of his opponents, an American by the name of Dave Wilson, who eventually and thankfully recovered, and had the ability and the conditioning to better the likes of Gordon Ferris, Billy Aird and Neville Meade, who shored up the British title after Gardner won the European title and moved into the world rankings. Even Paul's quick defeat at the hands of Nigeria's Ngozika Ekwelum in Lagos in March 1980 failed to dent his domestic rating (and Ekwelum could nothing if not whack). However, Sykes was unable to make a second push under the management of Tommy Miller, who once told me that the fighter was uncontrollable while marvelling at the man's conditioning and form in the gym. Personally, I feel that Sykes needed to get out of Yorkshire to get the best out of him. He needed a strong manager and a strong trainer, a Mickey Duff and a George Francis, some serious sparring, trips to the States and shrewd matchmaking. London, perhaps, would have offered to many distractions but we'll never know. In the end, joined the list of heavyweight prospects who all disappointed around that time, such as Joe Awome, Andy Palmer and Stan McDermott, and that's a shame. Fortunately, one Frank Bruno was waiting in the wings (and perhaps inevitably, Joe Bugner).

[MasterG]

It is a shame that Sykes failed to regroup from the Gardner defeat because the domestic heavyweight division was crying out for a serious player with a bit of devil in his work as the 1970s drew to a close and Sykes fitted the bill perfectly. He badly hurt one of his opponents, an American by the name of Dave Wilson, who eventually and thankfully recovered, and had the ability and the conditioning to better the likes of Gordon Ferris, Billy Aird and Neville Meade, who shored up the British title after Gardner won the European title and moved into the world rankings. Even Paul's quick defeat at the hands of Nigeria's Ngozika Ekwelum in Lagos in March 1980 failed to dent his domestic rating (and Ekwelum could nothing if not whack). However, Sykes was unable to make a second push under the management of Tommy Miller, who once told me that the fighter was uncontrollable while marvelling at the man's conditioning and form in the gym. Personally, I feel that Sykes needed to get out of Yorkshire to get the best out of him. He needed a strong manager and a strong trainer, a Mickey Duff and a George Francis, some serious sparring, trips to the States and shrewd matchmaking. London, perhaps, would have offered to many distractions but we'll never know. In the end, joined the list of heavyweight prospects who all disappointed around that time, such as Joe Awome, Andy Palmer and Stan McDermott, and that's a shame. Fortunately, one Frank Bruno was waiting in the wings (and perhaps inevitably, Joe Bugner).

back to prison i would have thought. good analysis though.

[MasterG]

There is another book written called 'Its Sharks, Straits of Johar' about Sykes.

[gp.]

The only notable thing Sykes ever did was fight for the British heavyweight title. While a creditable achievement, is it really movie worthy? If so where's "The Neville Meade Story"?

Everything else he ever did was just low level violent crime, nuisance and statutory rape.

I mean I realise it's not Quentin Tarantino talking about making this, and if made it will end up free on Amazon Prime starring a guy who had one line in East Enders once, but there must be better subjects.

[bynino]

I was watching that Sykes film. He just a wall-puncher. He reminds me a bit of "bad man" Frenchy.

Wasn't Frenchy a European Kickboxing Champion though?

Yeah he did. However he is more famous now for Danny Dyers hardest men. Comes out with some belter quotes-

"fight me or feed me"
"Rattling the cage mannnnn"