Tommy Gilmore has a mischievous vibe to him. But don't mistake that for childish naivety.
When pointed out that he shared a ring with Muhammad Ali, Sonny Liston and Sugar Ray Robinson, he replied, “How proud they would be.”
There's silence, then loud laughter. But he is a serious man, especially in professional matters.
Gilmore's story is titled Dynasty and could take up the biggest screen. This is an extraordinary story starring the greatest sportsman of all time and generations of Glaswegian families, telling a compelling story in distinctive accents.
It is being transferred from the ring, from the bookmaker's pitch, from Greska near the stage. Haudin' the Jaikets is scheduled to premiere later this week.
Tommy Gilmore goes from ringside to center stage with new movie about his life
This is the work of Jim Orr, who brought such quirky and funny plays as “Bend it like Brattbakk'' and “Bend it like Bertie'' to enthusiastic audiences.
“I met Jim on a radio show a few years ago and he said he had read my book and wanted to do something with me,” Gilmore says.
“I said it would be an honor. He came up with the script and it was supposed to be performed a few years ago, but then the pandemic hit. It's a comedy.”
But like Gilmore, it has an important story to tell. The film was originally scheduled to premiere at Kelvin Hall to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Pat Clinton winning the world flyweight title.
The bout was promoted by Gilmour, who was also Croy's boxer's manager.
“It doesn't get any better than this,” Gilmore says. “You can't do that. Promote a world title fight in your own city and be on the champion's side…”
But despite the obvious power of such a victory, Gilmour's story is packed with threads that weave a wonderful tapestry of what 20th century Glasgow was like and what made it special. There is.
The protagonists of this extraordinary story are Old Inn Jim Gilmore, his son Thomas the Starmaker, and his son Tommy. “I guess you can call me the Pretender,” said the third person lining up for the Gilmore crown, with his trademark grin. All three are expected to appear in “Haudin' the Jaikets.”
Gilmour's story begins, at least from the perspective of Glasgow and world boxing, in the lightweight gym where he was a British champion and competed in the 1920 Olympics. His son, Tommy Sr., managed his first fighter at the age of 14 and then became a bookmaker, boxing promoter and manager. His son, Tommy Jr., carried the family name to the top of the world.
He stepped into this world with quiet confidence. “It didn't mean much at the time,” Gilmore says, recalling the days when he held ring cards that included Ali, Liston and the original Sugar Ray. “This is my father's job and I just met these guys. That's how it was. I also met Kid Gavilan in Miami and we talked a lot.”
Gilmore grew up in an era where he watched the likes of Muhammad Ali compete first hand.
“Boxing was a small world back then,'' he points out, laughing again as he recalls his encounter with the Cuban legend.
A huge personality lived there. One was definitely Gilmore's father. It's been 100 years since Tommy Sr. flew his first fighter jet. His son has inherited this life lesson.
“In later years, I would encourage fights and argue with him about how much fighters should be paid. He would always say, 'Only you know because I tell you.' ”
This was a reference to the debt a son owes to his father in terms of experience. But it wasn't The Gilded Apprentice. Gilmore Jr. earned his corner license at the age of 18, and although he lacked a silver spoon, the lessons he inherited from his father were rich.
The life of a bookmaker and boxing manager can be precarious. The Gilmores had flown in jets and sailed on transatlantic cruise ships during notable moments, but when the star maker died, there was no significant financial reward to be shared.
The Gilmore dynasty showed us the way, but Tommy Jr. had to make his own path.
There are periods in Tommy Gilmore's life that have escaped deep scrutiny. His 20-year job as a printing engineer may not have the same appeal as mingling with greats or promoting world champions. But it is central to understanding his talent and character.
Sugar Ray Leonard was another great American figure who got to see Gilmore at his peak.
Gilmour attempted to pursue a career as a manager and promoter while working full time, and continued to do so for 20 years. This proves his tenacity, dedication and aptitude for hard graft. His jump into full-time boxing came with no real safety net. It takes courage to step into the ring, but courage also exists on the periphery.
Clinton's fight was the boldest move. Gilmore had to negotiate with Isidro Perez's handler. The softest part of these people was their teeth. The Oatlands boy wins the bargain after flipping over a table in anger.
He also made a fortune for himself. With the Clinton fight, British boxing entered the era of sponsorship. Carpet companies, beer brewers and the BBC were all enticed to support the event, which set the template for all future promotions.
“It was all new at the time,” he says. “We also had to figure out the best size for the logo to fit the TV cameras.”
Sonny Liston was another star of boxing's Golden Age more than 60 years ago
If Clinton at Kelvin Hall was his signature moment, there were many other memorable ones, most notably his takeover of St. Andrews Sports Club over 40 years ago and subsequent It has been transformed into one of the most important venues on the island.
He sold it 10 years ago. “I was running out of ideas,” he says. “I was 62 years old and I felt we needed new people. Ian (Wilson) came in and moved us forward.”
Retiring from the boxing ring, at least from a business standpoint, involved walking to Oche. Gilmour has managed world champions in both boxing and darts.
Gary Anderson followed in 2015 and 2016 at Alexandra Palace and Clinton in 1992 at Kelvin Hall.
“It's really Stephanie's job,” he says of his daughter. “I just help her. She's not a little lady. She has a degree in business administration and she knows darts and the people involved in darts inside and out.”
His connection to darts was forged through his friendship with Barry Hearn, who has been involved in boxing promotion for decades.
“We signed a Danish darts player last week,” says Gilmore. “I was sitting with him at an event and I think he was surprised when I told him I didn't know anything about darts. But I told him, 'I make money. I know how.”
Scotland's Pat Clinton hits Isidro Perez en route to famous victory in Glasgow
Again, laughter cannot hide the essential seriousness of the statement.
“There's another little connection to Denmark,” he says. “My grandfather beat the Danish champion. There was a tradition in those days that if you beat the champion of that country, you got that title. It was like old Glasgow. You beat your opponent in a close game. He was a close champion. I mean, my grandfather was a British and Danish champion.
So was Old Jim, of course. That's the Gilmore way. There were always more victories than losses for the dynasty. And either way, there's always a great story.
Jim Orr's Howdin' The Jackets will be performed at Glasgow's Websters Theater on Friday and Saturday (April 19th and 20th).
