CHRISTY MARTIN

PROFILE AND BIO

This fight between "The Coal Miner's Daughter" Christy Martin and "Million Dollar Baby" star Lucia Rijker headlines the "Million Dollar Lady" event - the winner will receive one million dollars. Each fighter is guaranteed $250,000, with the winner to collect a bonus of $750,000.

Scheduled for 12 championship rounds, the fight will be sanctioned by the World Boxing Council, and will be the first female fight sanctioned by the organization.

In an interview with SweetScience.com, Christy said, "It's the right fight at the right time. The movie, obviously, was a big part of it all coming together. 'Million Dollar Baby' opened up the sport to people who had only heard of it on an incidental basis.

"Lucia's involvement in the film brought her into the mainstream media in the same way my appearance on the cover of Sports Illustraded did in 1996.

"I feel confident, not over-confident, just confident, mentally and physically. In the real world, given the publicity Lucia received from the movie, I think a lot of people will look at me as the underdog. The fight being in Los Angeles probably means that all of Hollywood will turn out rooting for Lucia. That's not a role I'm used to, but, hey, it's going to be decided inside the ring, not by public opinion.

"I've been busy training fighters in Florida with my husband Jim. I've been working out in the guym on a part-time basis for about six months, and I recently started an everyday route, including sparring.

"A lot of people counted me out after the Ali bout. I hope they hold that thought and continue saying that I'm done, that I haven't been active enough, that I've lost my punch, whatever. That's just the thing that gets me up and out on the road at five o'clock in the morning. That's what will be with me in my corner on July 9." [End SweetScience.com story]

With her aggressive style, polished skills and combination punching with power, Christy Martin single-handedly put women's boxing on the map in the mid-to-late 1990's.

Martin's first appearance on a televised pay-per-view fight card came on the Mike Tyson-Frank Bruno undercard in March 1996. As a result of the world-wide exposure of that fight, Christy was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and stories were written about her in Time Magazine and People Magazine. Martin also made television appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, PrimeTime Live, The Today Show, CNN Extra!, Day & Night, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER RECORD OF KEY FIGHTS

2003

In her last fight in August 2003, Martin was knocked out by Laila Ali. Ali at 5' 10" tall and 162 pounds, towered over Christy at 5'4", whose best weight is around 144. Ali simply overwhelmed her and staggered Christy in the 1st round and scored a knockdown in the 3rd. Ali scored another knockdown in the 4th round, and Christy was counted out at 0:48. After the fight, Martin said, "The size was obvious. She was just too big. She was in great shape and she kept on coming. She still fights like an amateur, but all around she was just too big. I didn't think she would be as strong as she was. I never felt I could get a strong shot on her. What I wanted to do was stay low and go to the body. I had my hands up, but in the first round, she hit me on top of the head and I never recovered."

2002

In December 2002, Martin won a 10-round unanimous decision against Mia St. John. Martin fought aggressively and outworked St. John, who was much more competitive than expected and had several rallies of her own. After the fight, Martin said, "I stunk tonight because I was so rusty. But give Mia credit. No one thought she had a chance and she showed a lot of heart out there. She gave me a lot of trouble with her movement."

2001

In November 2001, Martin won a 10-round unanimous decision against Lisa Holewyne.

In May 2001, she won a 10-round majority decision against Kathy Collins.

In March 2001, Martin won a 10-round unanimous decision against Jeanne Martinez.

2000

In August 2000, Martin won a 10-round decision against Diana Lewis.

In March 2000, Martin won an 8-round majority decision against Belinda Laracuente.

1999

In October 1999, Martin TKO'd Daniella Somers in the 5th round.

In April 1999, Martin TKO'd Jovett Jackson in the 1st round.