A new documentary will tell the story of the remarkable life and untimely death of Moss Side boxing hero Phil Martin
Using rare archive footage and featuring interviews with several Manchester boxing legends, M14: A Moss Side Story looks at how how Phil, a former British title contender in the 1970s, built Champs Camp in the aftermath of the 1981 Moss Side riots. Driven by a fearsome sense of drive and discipline, within a few years he'd established a stable of champions and restored pride to the streets of Moss Side. But his success was cut short in devastating fashion.
In 1993 Phil revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer.
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Former British light-heavyweight champion Maurice Core tells the doumentary how the news sent shockwaves through the close-knit gym.
"Because we know Phil and we know him well, we always thought that Phil would beat this," Maurice, who now runs Champs Camp, says. "And he would always say 'I'll beat this cancer', and we would believe him, because we always had that belief in him and nothing at all could knock Phil down. Then one day he said he had six weeks to live."
Former Olympian Eric Noi, who now runs Oldham Boxing & Personal Development Centre, said: "I remember him being on the treadmill, running. He was determined. He thought he could train himself out of it. It was hard to see.
"He thought he would conquer it all, always. He was always talking about the future."
Phil died on May, 27, 1994, aged just 44-years-old.
In the documentary Joe Gallagher, who trained Anthony Crolla and Scott Quigg to world titles, is seen fighting back the tears as he recalls the moment of Phil's death.
He said: "It was a tough time. I remember at the hospital... I just went in the room and all you could hear was breathing, then all of a sudden the room went quiet. It was so spooky and eerie. Then, when he didn't breathe again, after that it was just..."
Sally Brown, executive producer of BT Sport Films, said: "While it's Fury, Joshua and Whyte that are dominating the boxing headlines, they would not be where they are today without pioneers like Martin. Despite not necessarily being a household name, his influence is tangible. M14: A Moss Side Story is a powerful homage to this legacy, and one of the greatest and most revered figures in British boxing history."
M14: A Moss Side Story will premiere on BT Sport 1 on Thursday, March 24, at 10pm.
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