“Every time you go through those ropes, you may never be the same again. And I knew that every time.”

British actor and former world kickboxing champion Cengiz Dervis is my guest on this episode of the Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast. This interview took place in the same week Cengiz discovered that he had landed a large role in a new 10-part TV series produced by Marvel’s Avengers star Jeremy Renner and The History Channel called Knightfall. The series, based around the Knights Templar, is validation for over 10 years of hard work in trying to make it as a screen actor. Since retiring from the ring, Cengiz has worked behind-the-scenes as a fighting coach and choreographer, training the likes of Natalie Imbruglia and Rowan Atkinson for the Johnny English films, and also Rosamund Pike for the James Bond film, Die Another Day. He also runs his own production company, Fight Me Productions, for which he writes, directs and produces his own projects. The company is now gearing up to release its first feature film, The Drake Files, based on a graphic novel written by Cengiz Dervis.

Cengiz was taught the Korean-based fighting style of Shen Chi Do by his uncle from the age of five. He continues to train six times a week, even mastering the legendary Iron Palm (or ‘dim mak’) technique – something which has given him the ability to crush a coconut with his bare hands (if you don’t believe me, here is footage of him doing it). On this podcast, Cengiz discusses how a troublesome upbringing in a rough part of London forced him to develop his self-defense skills, and how he channels the same commitment he displayed in the ring into his acting work. Although he admits to not particularly enjoying martial arts films, Cengiz has worked with some of the best in the business: including Scott Adkins and Joey Ansah on Green Street 3: Never Back Down, and Ansah’s subsequent work with Alain Moussi in the Street Fighter: Resurrection TV mini-series. Along with Knightfall, the always-busy Cengiz has two other British-made features to look out for: By Any Name, based on a novel by Katherine John; and a UK indie thriller called Retribution, in which Cengiz plays a sadistic hitman. We are predicting great things for Cengiz, so be sure to keep up to date with all his latest news via his website, cengizdervis.com, and on Twitter. Big thanks to George Dennis for his continuing technical support. There is also a bit of bad language on this podcast, so you have been warned.

Cengiz Dervis in the ring during his time as a professional kickboxer.

Cengiz Dervis as the hitman Mr Gallo in the UK indie thriller, Retribution.