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George was a brilliant negotiator who made Billy, "The Blonde Bomber", a fortune even before Billy had his first pro fight. Think of a man who could squeeze everything out of your Jack Solomons or your F rank Warren or your Don King on the negotiating table, then think of a man like George Walker.

Terrific businessman. Started a good chain of Jacket Pototo shops in the 60's and was founder of Brent Walker. Also made a good living in Russia selling horse racing footage.

RIP.

bennie wrote:George was a brilliant negotiator who made Billy, "The Blonde Bomber", a fortune even before Billy had his first pro fight. Think of a man who could squeeze everything out of your Jack Solomons or your F rank Warren or your Don King on the negotiating table, then think of a man like George Walker.

How did he make him a fortune before his first pro fight then?

lefty wrote:

bennie wrote:George was a brilliant negotiator who made Billy, "The Blonde Bomber", a fortune even before Billy had his first pro fight. Think of a man who could squeeze everything out of your Jack Solomons or your F rank Warren or your Don King on the negotiating table, then think of a man like George Walker.

How did he make him a fortune before his first pro fight then?

George negotiated £10,000 - up front - out of Duff, Astaire and Levene even before Billy's first pro fight in 1962. Heavyweight Billy had sensationally flattened giant American Cornelius Perry in the first round when Great Britain famously whitewashed America 10-0 at Wembley in 1961.

Very clever bloke George Walker. Had a great company, Brent Walker which built Brent Cross shopping centre and owned among many other companies, William Hill Bookmakers. Having said that it went bust in 1997.

R.I.P

10k in 1962, incidentally, is around £150,000 today.

I liked George, Gentleman. use to go there for camp with Billy. Some House always treated you with respect. Rest in Peace George.

bennie wrote:10k in 1962, incidentally, is around £150,000 today.

Try £500,000. Inflation didnt kick in until 1962. Average house price in 1962 was £2,950 and average salary was £12 per week.

Read a Daily Mail web story on George and blimey, you couldn't make it up could you. What a story. From Bilingsgate fish market to living in a Mayfair 'palace'! Sounds like a hell of a character.

And remember seeing interviews on TV with his brother Billy over the years, who always came across as a genuinely nice guy.

RIP George.