A chance encounter with boxer Billy Walter would lead Bickley's Robin McGibbon to break Hollywood

Robin McGibbon, 68, ghostwrote 'When the Gloves Came Off', detailing the life of "golden boy" boxer Billy Walker.

Mr Walker, 75, originally from East London, became an overnight sensation in 1961, and then turned professional.

It was after a chance encounter on a flight back from Los Angeles in 1996 that Mr McGibbon met the legendary boxer.

Burford Road resident Mr McGibbon, who went on to set up his own publishing company, said: "I never really forgot Billy Walker had a great story to tell. He was a legend."

More than 10 years later, he explained how their paths crossed again: "I was speaking to an old friend of mine about how I wanted to do a book with Billy Walker, and I had met him a few years ago. He asked me if I was at home - and a minute later Billy phoned me."

They ended up doing the book together which was published in 2007, and have stayed good friends to this day.

Mr McGibbon said: "We spent about six months writing it. He was a real diamond, he was the David Beckham of his day."

With the best yet to come, Mr McGibbon explained two Hollywood producers - who have worked on shows such as Thor and Mad Men - approached him about the book.

He added: "As a publisher, I spent several years in Los Angeles chasing film stars for their autobiographies, but never once did I think that Hollywood would come knocking on my door."

With the deal brokered by good friend, agent Al Zuckerman, the author recalled: "They said they had been given a copy of the book and they couldn't put it down. They wanted to turn it into a film.

"We [Robin and Billy] were chuffed. I never really thought about it being turned into a film, but we both said when we were doing the book what a great film the story would make!"

With Mr McGibbon and the retired boxer both paid a "substantial" undisclosed four-figure-sum, early next year the duo will find out the fate of the movie deal, and could be in line for another bumper payout.

It has not stopped them discussing the future, however, as he added they joke about what to wear to the premiere.

The father-of-three said: "The big break will come when the film starts. I've never done a film before, the closest I got was the ghosted autobiography I did of Charlie Kray.

"As a writer though, it would be fantastic if the fiction novel I'm working on was turned into a film!"