The highlight of his career was beating former British Light Heavyweight Champion Gypsy Johnny Frankham over 10 rounds at Belle Vue, Greater Manchester, in November 1975.

Before this Martin had become involved in left-wing political activism, which he was frustrated with, and he moved enthusiastically back into the sport, in the role of a trainer, working at the Alexander Foundation on Princess Road in Moss Side, Manchester.

After taking classes in training at the Alexander Foundation, he set up his own gym in a disused building in Princess Road, Moss Side (in an area that had seen rioting in 1981), which he named the 'Champs Camp Gym', where he guided numerous boxers, such as Tony Ekubia, Frank Grant, Maurice Core, Ossie Maddix, Ensley Bingham and Steve Walker, to British European and Commonwealth title contests.

The Champ Camp Gym was renamed the Phil Martin Centre in his honour.

Boxing record for Phil Martin from BoxRec (registration required)