Christy Martin

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Template:Short description {{#invoke:Other people|otherPeople}} Template:Use mdy dates Template:Use American English 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 1989–2012, 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. She was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020, the first year that women were on the ballot.

Early life

Martin was born Christy Renea Salters on June 12, 1968, in Mullens, West Virginia.<ref name=IBHoF>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She attended Mullens High School.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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". She was in a relationship with her basketball teammate Sherry Lusk throughout high school, of which her parents disapproved.<ref name=CBSNews>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She attended Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, on a basketball scholarship and earned a BS 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=IBHoF/>

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. 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, Nevada, on January 29, 1994.<ref name="wban.org"/>

On March 16, 1996, the fight that many credit for putting women's boxing on the sports fans' radar took place. Martin 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.<ref name="wban.org"/> 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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Martin made a special guest appearance on the television series 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 Holewyne 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">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Post-retirement

Martin was among the first inductees in the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2016, she became the first female boxer inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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 lack of stamina and double vision.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2020, she was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and was elected to it in 2019, the first year that women were on the ballot.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life

Martin married her manager, James V. "Jim" Martin, in 1991. At the time, Martin was 22 while her husband was 47. Martin referred to the marriage as one of convenience and stated her husband was emotionally and physically abusive throughout their relationship,<ref name=CBSNews/> 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=CBSNews/>

Martin married former ring rival Lisa Holewyne on November 25, 2017.<ref name="lvrj">Template:Cite news</ref>

Attempted murder

In March 2010, Christy Martin reconnected with her high school girlfriend Sherry Lusk over social media. Sometime later, Martin told her husband she wanted a divorce.<ref name=CBSNews/> 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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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, the mandatory minimum sentence.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> James Martin died on November 26, 2024, while serving his sentence at Graceville Correctional Facility.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> The film was released in theaters on November 7, 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Professional boxing record

Template:BoxingRecordSummary

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

References

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