Christy Martin

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy datesTemplate:Use American English Template:Otherpeople Template:Infobox boxer Christine Renea Salters (previously Martin; born June 12, 1968), nicknamed "The Coal Miner's Daughter", is an American former professional boxer, boxing analyst and motivational speaker. Competing from 1989 to 2012, she held the WBC female super welterweight title in 2009. Martin was the first female boxer elected to the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016, and was also elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020, which was the first year that women were on the ballot.

Biography

Early life

Martin was born Christy Renea Salters on June 12, 1968, in Mullens, West Virginia.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Women Athletes">Outstanding Women Athletes: Who they are and how they influenced sports, Janet Woolum [1]</ref><ref name="wban.org">Template:Cite web</ref> and attended Mullens High School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

She played various sports as a child including Little League baseball and all-state basketball. According to Martin, she was aware she was a lesbian from "5th or 6th grade."<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> She was in a relationship with her basketball teammate Sherry Lusk throughout high school, of which her parents disapproved.<ref name=":1" /> She attended Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, on a basketball scholarship and earned a B.S. in education.<ref name="Women Athletes" /><ref name="wban.org" />

In her memoir Fighting for Survival, Martin states she was sexually abused as a child by a family friend.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Career

Throughout her career, Martin was nicknamed The Coal Miner's Daughter in reference to her father's occupation.<ref name=":0" />

Martin is said to be “the most successful and prominent female boxer in the United States” and the person who “legitimized” women’s participation in the sport of boxing.<ref name="Women Athletes"/> She began her career fighting in “Toughwoman” contests and won three consecutive titles. She then began training with boxing coach, Jim Martin, who became her husband in 1991.<ref name="Women Athletes"/>

Martin started her professional boxing career at the age of 21 with a six-round draw with Angela Buchanan in 1989. She had her first training under the direction of Charlie Sensabaugh of Daniels West Virginia. Martin won a rematch with Buchanan one month later with a second round knockout. Andrea DeShong then beat Martin in a five-round decision. Martin then had nineteen consecutive wins, including two against Jamie Whitcomb and Suzanne Riccio-Major as well as a rubber match win against Buchanan. On October 15, 1993, Martin defeated Beverly Szymansky. Martin won by knocking out Szymansky in three rounds. Martin fought to a draw against debutante Laura Serrano in Las Vegas.<ref name="wban.org"/>

Martin's next fights included a rematch with Szymansky, and a fourth fight with Buchanan. In 1993 Martin signed a promotional agreement with International Hall of Fame Promoter Don King that would put her in the international spotlight. Her first fights in that new agreement would be against Melinda Robinson and Sue Chase on the undercard of the Julio Cesar Chavez vs Frankie Randall fight in the first ever fight card at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, NV on January 29, 1994. the fight that many credit for putting women's boxing on the sports fans' radar took place: On March 16, 1996, she and Deirdre Gogarty fought what many consider a great fight, on the Showtime pay per view broadcast of the Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno WBC Heavyweight Championship. Martin got the decision, and after that bout, she began to gain more celebrity, even appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated once shortly afterwards.<ref name="wban.org"/> (Specifically, on April 15, 1996, Martin became the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated;<ref name=":Martin12">Template:Cite news</ref> the headline read, "The Lady Is a Champ".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>)

Martin made a special guest appearance on the television show Roseanne in season 9, episode 6, "Pampered to a Pulp".

Martin won her next eight bouts including wins against Robinson, DeShong, Marcela Acuña and Isra Girgrah. Martin lost her title in a 10-round decision loss to Sumya Anani in 1998. Martin then won her next nine fights including wins against Belinda Laracuente, Sabrina Hall and Kathy Collins. Martin won her next two fights by ten-round decisions against Lisa Holeywine and Mia St. John.<ref name="wban.org"/>

In 2003 Martin fought Laila Ali and lost by a knockout in the fourth round.<ref name="wban.org"/>

Martin's next fight in 2005 was a second-round knockout against Lana Alexander in Lula, Mississippi.<ref name="wban.org"/>

In 2005 a fight with Lucia Rijker, titled "Million Dollar Lady", was canceled because Rijker ruptured her Achilles during training.

On September 16, 2005, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Martin lost a 10-round unanimous decision to Holly Holm. Martin was beaten by the 23-year-old southpaw, with all three judges scoring for Holm.<ref name="wban.org"/>

Martin holds a record of 49 wins, 7 losses and 3 draws with 31 wins by knockout.<ref name="wban.org"/> She is a frequent visitor of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame annual induction ceremonies, and an avid autograph signer. She has fought on the undercard of boxers Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Félix Trinidad and Julio César Chávez.

Martin was promoted by Don King, and was the first woman to sign with him.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="wban.org" /> He signed Martin in October 1993 following her third-round knockout win against Beverly Szymanski.<ref name="Don:3">Template:Cite book</ref>

Final bouts and retirement

Martin announced on January 19, 2011, that she would be fighting again in hopes of her 50th career win on the undercard of the Ricardo Mayorga vs Miguel Cotto fight at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 12, 2011, against Dakota Stone in a rematch of their 2009 Fight.<ref name="aol.com">Template:Cite web</ref> The fight was postponed due to a rib injury to Martin. The rescheduled rematch took place June 4, 2011, at Staples Center in Los Angeles on the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs Sebastian Zbik undercard. Dakota Stone prevailed by TKO with :51 left as Martin broke her right hand on a punch in the fourth round and could not continue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Post-retirement

Martin was among the first inductees in the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2016, she became the first female boxer inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same year, Sports Illustrated reported that she was working two jobs, as a substitute teacher and helping military veterans find work, and that she was dealing with the after effects of her career, including dealing with lack of stamina and double vision.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2020 she was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame; she was elected to it in 2019, the first year that women were on the ballot.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life

Martin married her manager, James V. "Jim" Martin, in 1991.<ref name=":1" /> At the time, Martin was 22 while her husband was 47.<ref name=":1" /> Martin referred to the marriage as one of convenience,<ref name=":1" /> and stated her husband was emotionally and physically abusive throughout their relationship,<ref name=":1" /> and enabled her addiction to cocaine to control her.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She also claimed he used her prize money to pay for an extravagant lifestyle.<ref name=":1" />

Martin married former ring rival Lisa Holewyne on November 25, 2017.<ref name="lvrj">Template:Cite news</ref> Martin is the CEO of Christy Martin Promotions, a boxing promotion company that has promoted many events in North Carolina since 2016 and will be promoting boxing events in Jacksonville, Florida and in other Southern United States cities.Template:WhenTemplate:Cn

Attempted murder

In March 2010, Christy Martin reconnected with her high school girlfriend Sherry Lusk over social media.<ref name=":1" /> Sometime later, Martin told her husband she wanted a divorce.<ref name=":1" /> On November 23, 2010, Christy Martin was stabbed several times and shot at least once in her torso and left for dead by her husband, 66-year-old James V. Martin. The attack reportedly occurred after an argument in their Apopka home.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She survived the attack. On November 30, 2010, James Martin was arrested and taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center after he stabbed himself.<ref name="orlando">Template:Cite news</ref> He was booked in Orange County Jail and charged with attempted first degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.<ref name="inmate">Template:Cite web</ref>

In April 2012, James Martin was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was sentenced two months later to 25 years in prison. Jim Martin died on November 26, 2024 while serving his sentence at Graceville Correctional Facility in Graceville, Florida.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In popular culture

In 2021, Netflix released Untold: Deal with the Devil, a documentary chronicling Martin’s career and personal life.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> In 2024, it was announced that a biopic of her life, starring Sydney Sweeney, was in production. The film was shot in September and October of 2024 and is expected to be released in November of 2025. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Professional boxing record

Template:Abbr	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
59	Template:No2Loss	49–7–3	Mia St. John	UD	10	August 14, 2012	Template:Small
58	Template:No2Loss	49–6–3	Dakota Stone	TKO	6 (6)	Jun 4, 2011	Template:Small
57	Template:Yes2Win	49–5–3	Dakota Stone	MD	10	September 9, 2009	Template:Small	Template:Small
56	Template:Yes2Win	48–5–3	Cimberly Harris	SD	6	August 1, 2009	Template:Small
55	Template:DrawDraw	47–5–3	Valerie Mahfood	MD	8	July 18, 2008	Template:Small	Template:Small
54	Template:Yes2Win	47–5–2	Amy Yuratovac	UD	2 (6)	June 2, 2007	Template:Small
53	Template:No2Loss	46–5–2	Angelica Martinez	Template:Abbr	10	October 6, 2006	Template:Small
52	Template:No2Loss	46–4–2	Holly Holm	UD	10	September 16, 2005	Template:Small
51	Template:Yes2Win	46–3–2	Lana Alexander	KO	2 (6)	April 30, 2005	Template:Small
50	Template:No2Loss	45–3–2	Laila Ali	KO	4 (10)	August 23, 2003	Template:Small	Template:Small
49	Template:Yes2Win	45–2–2	Mia St. John	UD	10	December 6, 2002	Template:Small
48	Template:Yes2Win	44–2–2	Lisa Holewyne	UD	10	Nov 17, 2001	Template:Small
47	Template:Yes2Win	43–2–2	Kathy Collins	MD	10	May 12, 2001	Template:Small
46	Template:Yes2Win	42–2–2	Jeanne Martinez	UD	10	Mar 3, 2001	Template:Small
45	Template:Yes2Win	41–2–2	Sabrina Hall	KO	1 (8)	Dec 2, 2000	Template:Small
44	Template:Yes2Win	40–2–2	Dianna Lewis	UD	10	Aug 12, 2000	Template:Small
43	Template:Yes2Win	39–2–2	Belinda Laracuente	MD	8	Mar 3, 2000	Template:Small
42	Template:Yes2Win	38–2–2	Daniella Somers	TKO	5 (10)	October 2, 1999	Template:Small
41	Template:Yes2Win	37–2–2	Jovette Jackson	TKO	1	April 24, 1999	Template:Small
40	Template:No2Loss	36–2–2	Sumya Anani	MD	10	December 18, 1998	Template:Small
39	Template:Yes2Win	36–1–2	Christine Robinson	TKO	5 (6)	Sep 19, 1998	Template:Small
38	Template:Yes2Win	35–1–2	Cheryl Nance	TKO	9 (10)	August 29, 1998	Template:Small
37	Template:Yes2Win	34–1–2	Marcela Acuña	UD	10	December 5, 1997	Template:Small
36	Template:Yes2Win	33–1–2	Isra Girgrah	UD	8	August 23, 1997	Template:Small
35	Template:Yes2Win	32–1–2	Andrea DeShong	TKO	7 (8)	Jun 28, 1997	Template:Small
34	Template:Yes2Win	31–1–2	Bethany Payne	TKO	1 (6)	Nov 9, 1996	Template:Small
33	Template:Yes2Win	30–1–2	Melinda Robinson	KO	4	Sep 7, 1996	Template:Small
32	Template:Yes2Win	29–1–2	Deirdre Gogarty	UD	6	Mar 16, 1996	Template:Small
31	Template:Yes2Win	28–1–2	Del Pettis	TKO	1	February 24, 1996	Template:Small
30	Template:Yes2Win	27–1–2	Sue Chase	TKO	3 (6)	February 10, 1996	Template:Small
29	Template:Yes2Win	26–1–2	Melinda Robinson	UD	6	January 13, 1996	Template:Small
28	Template:Yes2Win	25–1–2	Erica Schmidlin	TKO	1	December 16, 1995	Template:Small
27	Template:Yes2Win	24–1–2	Angela Buchanan	TKO	2 (6)	August 12, 1995	Template:Small
26	Template:Yes2Win	23–1–2	Beverly Szymanski	KO	4 (6)	April 1, 1995	Template:Small
25	Template:Yes2Win	22–1–2	Chris Kreuz	TKO	4 (6)	September 12, 1994	Template:Small
24	Template:DrawDraw	21–1–2	Laura Serrano	UD	6	May 7, 1994	Template:Small
23	Template:Yes2Win	21–1–1	Sonja Donlevy	TKO	1	March 4, 1994	Template:Small
22	Template:Yes2Win	20–1–1	Susie Melton	TKO	1 (6)	Jan 29, 1994	Template:Small
21	Template:Yes2Win	19–1–1	Beverly Szymanski	KO	3	October 15, 1993	Template:Small
20	Template:Yes2Win	18–1–1	Rebecca Kirkland	TKO	1 (6)	August 27, 1993	Template:Small
19	Template:Yes2Win	17–1–1	Deborah Cruickshank	KO	1 (4)	May 28, 1993	Template:Small
18	Template:Yes2Win	16–1–1	Susie Hughes	TKO	1	January 29, 1993	Template:Small
17	Template:Yes2Win	15–1–1	Angela Buchanan	TKO	1	November 14, 1992	Template:Small
16	Template:Yes2Win	14–1–1	Tracy Gordon	TKO	1	September 5, 1992	Template:Small
15	Template:Yes2Win	13–1–1	Stacey Prestage	UD	8	May 30, 1992	Template:Small
14	Template:Yes2Win	12–1–1	Jackie Thomas	TKO	3 (8)	January 25, 1992	Template:Small
13	Template:Yes2Win	11–1–1	Rose Noble	TKO	1	January 11, 1992	Template:Small
12	Template:Yes2Win	10–1–1	Shannon Davenport	TKO	2	September 10, 1991	Template:Small
11	Template:Yes2Win	9–1–1	Rhonda Hefflin	KO	1	May 25, 1991	Template:Small
10	Template:Yes2Win	8–1–1	Pat Watts	TKO	1	March 16, 1991	Template:Small
9	Template:Yes2Win	7–1–1	Suzanne Riccio	PTS	5	February 25, 1991	Template:Small
8	Template:Yes2Win	6–1–1	Jamie Whitcomb	TKO	2 (5)	January 12, 1991	Template:Small
7	Template:Yes2Win	5–1–1	Lisa Holpp	TKO	1	October 27, 1990	Template:Small
6	Template:Yes2Win	4–1–1	Jamie Whitcomb	PTS	6	September 22, 1990	Template:Small
5	Template:Yes2Win	3–1–1	Andrea DeShong	PTS	5	April 21, 1990	Template:Small
4	Template:No2Loss	2–1–1	Andrea DeShong	Template:Abbr	5	November 4, 1989	Template:Small
3	Template:Yes2Win	2–0–1	Tammy Jones	Template:Abbr	1	October 21, 1989	Template:Small
2	Template:Yes2Win	1–0–1	Angela Buchanan	Template:Abbr	2	September 30, 1989	Template:Small
1	Template:DrawDraw	0–0–1	Angela Buchanan	Template:Abbr	5	September 9, 1989	Template:Small

External links

• Christy Martin Official Website

Christy Martin Female Boxer Biography