Retired women’s boxing champion Christy Martin was allegedly stabbed and shot by her husband on Wednesday, November 24. Early reports indicate that the 42 year old Martin stumbled out of her Florida home, flagged down a passing motorist and was taken to a hospital to receive treatment for her injuries. Christy accused her 66 year old husband James, who has yet to be apprehended. The next day, a friend of Martin went to her home to gather some personal effects for the former champion and reported that Martin’s home had been burglarized. Law enforcement officials had been sent to the Martin’s home twice on Tuesday, November 23 to deal with disturbances.
Christy “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Martin virtually made women’s boxing a prime time event when she was featured on the undercards of a number of Don King-promoted Mike Tyson fights in the 1990s. Noted for her heavy-handed style, Martin enjoyed a lengthy stint as the 140 lbs WBC Women’s Champion, and defeated female contenders such as Isra Girgrah, Deidre Gogharty, former playmate Mia St. John and Andrea DeShong.
In 2003, a 34 year old Martin fought Lalia Ali in a super middleweight bout (the women’s equivalent of heavyweight) and lost in a 4th Round KO. Martin’s career was marred by the consistent ducking her most serious threat, Lucia Rijker, for many years. Bob Arum finally arranged a match between the women in 2005, but Rijker serious injured her Achilles tendon and the fight was abandoned. Martin is still semi-active as a professional fighter today, and last fought in September 2009.
