Christy Martin is a legendary American former professional boxer. She is the first female boxer elected to the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, and the first female boxer to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. She is considered to be one of the pioneers of women’s boxing.
Martin’s achievements in the boxing ring are remarkable, but her story is more than just about her accomplishments. If you are also a fan of the legendary boxer and want to know more about her then this Christy Martin Biography is the place to be for you. In this article, we will be talking about her career, her personal life, her professional life, her attempted murder case, and many other interesting facts about her.
Christy Martin Wiki
Christy Renea Martin was born on 12th June 1968 (Age: 55 years old) in Mullens, West Virginia, U.S. She comes from a Spanish household. She is also known as “The Coal Miner’s Daughter”.
Biography
Full Name | Christy Renea Salters |
Nick Name | The Coal Miner’s Daughter |
Profession | Professional Boxer |
Age | 55 years old |
Date of Birth | 12th June 1968 |
Mother Tongue | Spanish |
Stance | Orthodox |
Nationality | American |
Zodiac/Sun Sign | Gemini |
Birthplace | Mullens, West Virginia, U.S. |
HomeTown | Mullens, West Virginia, U.S. |
Current Address | Orlando, Florida, USA |
Coach | Jim Martin |
Christy Martin Education, Qualification
Christy Martin attended Mullens High School in Mullens, West Virginia, where she played various sports, including Little League baseball and all-state basketball. On a basketball scholarship, she attended Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in education.
School | Mullens High School |
College | Concord College in Athens |
Degree/Graduation | Bachelor of Science |
Relationship Status (Husband, Boyfriend, Affairs)
Christy Martin married her trainer, Jim Martin, in 1991. The relationship was tumultuous from the start, with Jim being physically and emotionally abusive. Christy has spoken openly about the abuse she suffered at Jim’s hands, and how he controlled every aspect of her life.
Christy and Jim separated in the year 2012. Christy then married Lisa Holewyne in 2017. Christy Martin’s marriage to Lisa Holewyne marked a significant milestone in her life, symbolizing her courage to live openly as a same-sex couple in the traditionally male-dominated world of boxing.
Christy Martin Jim Martin Abusive Relationship
Christy Martin’s life took a dark and turbulent turn when she found herself trapped in an abusive marriage with her manager and husband, Jim Martin.
Christy Martin’s abusive relationship with her husband, Jim Martin, began shortly after they married in 1991. Jim was controlling and manipulative, and he quickly isolated Christy from her friends and family.
Jim’s control over Christy was not limited to her personal life. He played a significant role in her career, acting as both her coach and drug supplier, providing her with cocaine and wielding it as a means of control.
Physical altercations were not uncommon, as he would resort to violence, both in the boxing ring and at home. Christy recounted disturbing instances where she was hit and knocked out by her husband, further highlighting the pervasive nature of the abuse.
The marriage reached a horrifying climax on November 23, 2010, when Jim Martin brutally attacked Christy. During this horrific incident, she was stabbed multiple times and shot in the chest. This attack marked the culmination of years of coercion, violence, and psychological torment. It was a night of unimaginable terror that nearly claimed Christy’s life.
Also Read: Top 10 Best Female Boxers In The World
Christy Martin’s Family, Siblings
Christy Martin’s Father’s name is Johnny Salter, he is a coal miner and that is where the Nickname “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” came from. Christy’s mother’s name is Joyce Salter and she is a homemaker.
Christy also had a brother named Randy Salter who was battling Cancer and died in November of 2020 for the same reason.
Parent’s Name | Father: Johnny Salters Mother: Joyce Salters |
Siblings/Cousins | Brother: Randy Salters (died of cancer in November 2020) |
Relationship Status | Married |
Husband/Boyfriend | Husband: James V. Martin (d. 2012) Spouse: Lisa Holewyne (m. 2017 – Present) |
Children | Yet to Update |
Christy Martin Height, Weight (Physical Appearance)
Height | In centimeters: 164 cm In meters: 1.64 m In Inches: 5 ft 4 1⁄2 |
Reach | 64 in (163 cm) |
Weight | 142 Lbs, 64 Kgs |
Body Measurements | Yet to Update |
Eye Color | Brown |
Hair Color | Blonde |
Christy Martin Net Worth and Salary
Christy Martin’s Net Worth is around $500K.
Net Worth in Dollars | $500K |
Salary | Yet to Update |
Career
Christy Martin’s career in boxing is a remarkable tale of a woman who not only conquered the sport but also played a pivotal role in legitimizing women’s participation in what was traditionally a male-dominated field. From her humble beginnings to her groundbreaking achievements, this timeline highlights the key moments in her extraordinary career.
Early Years and Toughwoman Contests (1989-1991)
- 1989: At the age of 21, Christy Martin embarked on her professional boxing journey with a six-round draw against Angela Buchanan.
- 1990: She secured her first win with a second-round knockout victory in a rematch against Angela Buchanan.
- 1991: Her journey began as she started training under boxing coach Jim Martin, who would later become her husband.
The Unstoppable Winning Streak (1991-1993)
- 1991-1993: Martin enjoyed a string of 19 consecutive wins, establishing her dominance in women’s boxing.
- Notable victories during this period included fights against Jamie Whitcomb, Suzanne Riccio-Major, and a decisive rubber match win against Angela Buchanan.
World Title and Historic Bout with Deirdre Gogarty (1993-1996)
- 1993: Martin claimed her first world title by knocking out Beverly Szymansky in three rounds.
- 1996: In a groundbreaking moment for women’s boxing, Christy Martin and Deirdre Gogarty engaged in an unforgettable bout that garnered significant attention. Martin’s victory in this fight marked a turning point for women in the sport.
Sports Illustrated Cover and Rising Celebrity (1996)
- April 15, 1996: Christy Martin became the first female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, with the headline “The Lady Is a Champ.” This landmark achievement catapulted her into the spotlight.
Defending the Title and Facing Laila Ali (1996-2003)
- Martin defended her title six more times, including successful rematches and victories against top contenders.
- 2003: She faced a formidable opponent in Laila Ali, resulting in a knockout loss in the fourth round.
Setbacks and Comebacks (2003-2011)
- Following her loss to Laila Ali, Martin faced both triumphs and challenges in the ring.
- 2011: Christy Martin aimed for her 50th career win but encountered an injury during a rematch against Dakota Stone, marking a challenging period in her career.
Hall of Fame and Post-Retirement (2016-2020)
- 2016: Christy Martin made history by becoming the first female boxer inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.
- 2019: She was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, marking her enduring legacy in the sport.
- After retiring, Martin worked as a substitute teacher and assisted military veterans in finding employment while dealing with the aftereffects of her boxing career.
Also Read: Regina Halmich Wiki, Age, Height, Net Worth, Records, Family
Christy Martin Record
Total Fights | 59 |
Won | 49 |
Lost | 7 |
Draw | 3 |
By Knockout | 32 |
Christy Martin Professional Boxing Record
Date | Location | Opponent | Record | Result | Age |
9 Sep 89 | Bristol, Tennessee | Angela Buchanan | 0-0-1 | Draw | 21 |
30 Sep 89 | Durham, North Carolina | Angela Buchanan | 1-0-1 | Win | 21 |
21 Oct 89 | Bristol, Tennessee | Tammy Jones | 2-0-1 | Win | 21 |
4 Nov 89 | Bristol, Tennessee | Andrea DeShong | 2-1-1 | Loss | 21 |
21 Apr 90 | Bristol, Tennessee | Andrea DeShong | 3-1-1 | Win | 22 |
22 Sep 90 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Jamie Whitcomb | 4-1-1 | Win | 22 |
27 Oct 90 | Bristol, Tennessee | Lisa Holpp | 5-1-1 | Win | 22 |
12 Jan 91 | Bristol, Tennessee | Jamie Whitcomb | 6-1-1 | Win | 23 |
25 Feb 91 | Bristol, Tennessee | Suzanne Riccio | 7-1-1 | Win | 23 |
16 Mar 91 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Pat Watts | 8-1-1 | Win | 23 |
25 May 91 | Tennessee | Rhonda Hefflin | 9-1-1 | Win | 23 |
10 Sep 91 | Princeton, West Virginia | Shannon Davenport | 10-1-1 | Win | 23 |
11 Jan 92 | Grundy, Virginia | Rose Noble | 11-1-1 | Win | 24 |
25 Jan 92 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Jackie Thomas | 12-1-1 | Win | 24 |
30 May 92 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Stacey Prestage | 13-1-1 | Win | 24 |
5 Sep 92 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Tracy Gordon | 14-1-1 | Win | 24 |
14 Nov 92 | Greenville, South Carolina | Angela Buchanan | 15-1-1 | Win | 24 |
29 Jan 93 | Columbia, South Carolina | Susie Hughes | 16-1-1 | Win | 25 |
28 May 93 | Punta Gorda, Florida | Deborah Cruickshank | 17-1-1 | Win | 25 |
27 Aug 93 | Punta Gorda, Florida | Rebecca Kirkland | 18-1-1 | Win | 25 |
15 Oct 93 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Beverly Szymanski | 19-1-1 | Win | 25 |
29 Jan 94 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Susie Melton | 20-1-1 | Win | 26 |
4 Mar 94 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Sonja Donlevy | 21-1-1 | Win | 26 |
7 May 94 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Laura Serrano | 21-1-2 | Loss | 26 |
12 Sep 94 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Chris Kreuz | 22-1-2 | Win | 26 |
1 Apr 95 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Beverly Szymanski | 23-1-2 | Win | 27 |
12 Aug 95 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Angela Buchanan | 24-1-2 | Win | 27 |
16 Dec 95 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Erica Schmidlin | 25-1-2 | Win | 27 |
13 Jan 96 | Miami, Florida | Melinda Robinson | 26-1-2 | Win | 28 |
10 Feb 96 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Sue Chase | 27-1-2 | Win | 28 |
24 Feb 96 | Richmond, Virginia | Del Pettis | 28-1-2 | Win | 28 |
16 Mar 96 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Deirdre Gogarty | 29-1-2 | Win | 28 |
7 Sep 96 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Melinda Robinson | 30-1-2 | Win | 28 |
9 Nov 96 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Bethany Payne | 31-1-2 | Win | 28 |
28 Jun 97 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Andrea DeShong | 32-1-2 | Win | 29 |
23 Aug 97 | New York City, New York | Isra Girgrah | 33-1-2 | Win | 29 |
5 Dec 97 | Pompano Beach, Florida | Marcela Acuña | 34-1-2 | Win | 29 |
29 Aug 98 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Cheryl Nance | 35-1-2 | Win | 30 |
19 Sep 98 | Atlanta, Georgia | Christine Robinson | 36-1-2 | Win | 30 |
18 Dec 98 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Sumya Anani | 36-2-2 | Loss | 30 |
24 Apr 99 | Washington, D.C. | Jovette Jackson | 37-2-2 | Win | 31 |
2 Oct 99 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Daniella Somers | 38-2-2 | Win | 31 |
3 Mar 00 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Belinda Laracuente | 39-2-2 | Win | 32 |
12 Aug 00 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Dianna Lewis | 40-2-2 | Win | 32 |
2 Dec 00 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Sabrina Hall | 41-2-2 | Win | 32 |
3 Mar 01 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Jeanne Martinez | 42-2-2 | Win | 33 |
12 May 01 | New York City, New York | Kathy Collins | 43-2-2 | Win | 33 |
17 Nov 01 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Lisa Holewyne | 44-2-2 | Win | 33 |
6 Dec 02 | Pontiac, Michigan | Mia St. John | 45-2-2 | Win | 34 |
23 Aug 03 | Biloxi, Mississippi | Laila Ali | 45-3-2 | Loss | 35 |
30 Apr 05 | Lula, Mississippi | Lana Alexander | 46-3-2 | Win | 37 |
16 Sep 05 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Holly Holm | 46-4-2 | Loss | 37 |
6 Oct 06 | Worley, Idaho | Angelica Martinez | 46-5-2 | Loss | 38 |
2 Jun 07 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Amy Yuratovac | 47-5-2 | Win | 39 |
18 Jul 08 | Houston, Texas | Valerie Mahfood | 47-5-3 | Draw | 40 |
1 Aug 09 | Huntington, West Virginia | Cimberly Harris | 48-5-3 | Win | 41 |
9 Sep 09 | Syracuse, New York | Dakota Stone | 49-5-3 | Win | 41 |
4 Jun 11 | Los Angeles, California | Dakota Stone | 49-6-3 | Loss | 43 |
14 Aug 12 | Friant, California | Mia St. John | 49-7-3 | Loss | 44 |
Christy Martin Instagram, Twitter
@christy_r_martin | |
@christymartin68 | |
@ChampChristy |
Some Interesting Facts About Christy Martin
- She is nicknamed “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” in reference to her father’s occupation.
- Christy Martin was the first female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated.
- She won three consecutive “Toughwoman” titles before her professional boxing career.
- Her marriage to fellow boxer Lisa Holewyne marked a pioneering moment in the world of boxing.
- Her career included appearances on the undercard of Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and other boxing legends.
- Christy Martin became the first female boxer inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.
- She became the first female boxer to fight in a major Las Vegas arena and to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
- A documentary detailing Martin’s professional and personal life, Untold: Deal with the Devil, was made available on Netflix in 2021.
- Christy Martin’s boxing career was closely intertwined with her personal life. She trained under the guidance of her husband, Jim Martin, who was also her coach during a significant part of her career.
- She worked as a substitute teacher and dedicated her time to helping military veterans find employment, showcasing her commitment to making a difference in her community.
FAQs
Christy Martin was shot on December 15, 2010. By her then-husband and coach James Martin.
James Martin shot Christy Martin because he was abusive and controlling. He had been physically and emotionally abusing her for years, and the shooting was the culmination of that abuse.
Christy Martin married Lisa Holewyne, a former female boxer and a former ring rival of Christy. They got married on 25th November 2017.
Christy Martin is known for being a professional boxer. She was the WBC female super welterweight champion from 2009 to 2010. She is also a survivor of domestic violence.