THE life of a violent prisoner and boxer who eventually found God but died destitute has been detailed in a new book by a North Yorkshire author.

Jamie Boyle, from Northallerton, has brought out a book about the infamous character Paul Sykes, which looks at his life as an underworld hard man. It includes contributions from his friend, Charles Bronson and details his encounters with Middlesbrough ex-boxer and bouncer Lee Duffy.

The book has been brought out this month, on the tenth anniversary of Paul Sykes’ death.

Mr Boyle, who now works in Marks & Spencer in Northallerton, but is himself a former boxer from Middlesbrough, said Paul Sykes was a fascinating and contradictory character.

“In the 1970s and 1980s he was known as the most difficult prisoner in Britain,” said Mr Boyle.

“He fought for the British and Commonwealth titles but he became an alcoholic and ended up living on the streets. He ended up in a coma and found God and spent the last 20 years of his life helping other people turn their lives around.”

Jamie Boyle has organised a charity evening at The Black Bull in Northallerton on April 22, when one of the people to enter the ring with Paul Sykes, former heavy weight champion John L Gardner will be giving a talk. The boxer was Muhammad Ali’s mandatory for the heavyweight title, but he Muhammad Ali retired before he could face him.

Admission is free and there will be a fundraising raffle and auction of signed sporting memorabilia.

Sykes: Unfinished Agony, is available on Amazon as a Kindle edition for £4.95 or in hardback for £14.95.