Fighting Talk Promotions was formed in 1999 by Martyn Devlin who has been involved on the North East boxing scene for over 40 years, and has featured some of the greatest names in boxing history at functions he has organised to allow fight fans to meet their heroes. Martyn was the first Promoter in the UK to feature the 4 Kings of boxing, Roberto Duran, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard at sporting events he organised in the North East.
Other famous Boxers Martyn has featured include Mike Tyson, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Frank Bruno, Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton, Nigel Benn, Steve Collins, Chris Eubank, Barry McGuigan, Ken Buchanan & John Conteh to name but a few.
In 2010 Martyn was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the South Shields Gazette for his services to Amateur boxing and recently again in 2023. He was also awarded the Gold Keystone Award for over 40 years voluntary service to young people by the National Association of Boys and Girls clubs.
In 2002 “Fighting Talk” was chosen by the legendary boxer Roberto ‘Hands of Stone’ Duran to stage his first ever UK tours following the momentous occasion when Roberto met up with Scotland’s Ken Buchanan (R.I.P) for the first time since their world lightweight title fight in 1972. For his efforts in organising the reunion and his UK tours Roberto then flew Martyn to attend his retirement tribute night in Panama City.
“Fighting Talk” followed that by being the first UK Promoter chosen by the legendary Tommy ‘Hit Man’ Hearns and his trainer Emanuel Steward (R.I.P) to organise the whole of their 2004 UK Tour appearances which included travelling to open the famous Belfast Kronk gym.
The “One and Only” Sugar Ray Leonard then chose Martyn to organise and travel with him on his first ever UK tour during 2005 and then again during 2006 to all of the major UK city’s
The “Fighting Talk” list of stars featured is endless and include, Lloyd Honeyghan, Sir Henry Cooper (R.I.P) Terry Marsh, Nicky Piper, Barry McGuigan, Glenn McCrory, Johnny Nelson, Earnie Shavers (R.I.P) John H. Stracey, Jim Watt, Ritchie Woodhall, Jamie Moore, Billy Graham, Robin Reid and many more. At the events our guests will tell you some knockout stories from the fight game and inside tales from their own careers, sign autographs and have personal photographs taken with you.
Last years Annual event was held at The Clarion Hotel Boldon on Friday July 7th 2023 where our special guest was former WBC super middleweight champion Robin Reid. Details of this years event will be confirmed soon.