Born: 1968 (Mullens, West Virginia)
Biography:
Christy Renea Martin (née Salters) was born on June 12, 1968, in Mullens, West Virginia. She grew up with a love for sports and participated in various athletic activities as a child, including Little League baseball and all-state basketball. Martin attended Mullens High School and later pursued a basketball scholarship at Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, where she earned a B.S. in education.
Martin’s journey in professional boxing began in 1989 when she had her first fight at the age of 21. Initially competing in Toughwoman contests, Martin quickly established herself as a formidable boxer and won three consecutive titles. However, it was her transition to professional boxing that would solidify her status as a trailblazer in women’s sports.
Under the tutelage of boxing coach Jim Martin, who would later become her husband in 1991, Christy Martin embarked on her professional boxing career. She started with a six-round draw against Angela Buchanan and followed it up with a second-round knockout win in a rematch with Buchanan one month later. After suffering a setback in a five-round decision loss to Andrea DeShong, Martin went on an impressive run of nineteen consecutive victories.
On October 15, 1993, Martin scored a significant victory by knocking out Beverly Szymansky in three rounds, capturing the attention of boxing fans. She successfully defended her title six times, including rematches against Buchanan and Szymansky, as well as bouts against other formidable opponents like Melinda Robinson and Sue Chase. However, it was her legendary fight against Deirdre Gogarty on March 16, 1996, that truly put women’s boxing in the spotlight.
The fight between Martin and Gogarty, which took place in front of Showtime cameras, is regarded as one of the greatest fights in women’s boxing history. Martin emerged victorious, earning the decision and gaining recognition as a true champion. This fight marked a turning point for Martin’s career, propelling her into the limelight and solidifying her status as a pioneer in women’s boxing.
Following her memorable bout with Gogarty, Martin’s fame reached new heights. She even made history by becoming the first female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated on April 15, 1996, with the headline The Lady Is a Champ. Martin’s success and influence on the sport helped legitimize women’s participation in boxing and paved the way for future generations of female boxers.
Outside of boxing, Martin made appearances on popular television shows, including a special guest spot on the hit series Roseanne. Her charisma and talent inside and outside the ring endeared her to fans around the world.
In 2010, tragedy struck when Martin was stabbed and shot by her husband. Despite the traumatic incident, she demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength, using her experience to raise awareness about domestic violence and advocate for its prevention. Martin’s story became an inspiration for countless individuals facing similar challenges.
Throughout her career, Christy Martin’s contributions to women’s boxing and her impact on society have been significant. She paved the way for female boxers to be recognized and respected in a male-dominated sport. In recognition of her achievements, she was elected to the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020, marking the first year that women were on the ballot.
Awards:
– Elected to the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016
– Elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020