Christy Martin (left) in her 2011 comeback match. Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Christy Martin is an iconic female boxer who became the face of the sport in the 1990s. At 49-6-3 she holds the most professional victories of any female boxer, and her record measures up well against greats like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. She is considered one of the pioneers of the sport, having graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1996. She was an undercard draw for some big bouts, including the infamous "ear bite" match between Tyson and Evander Holyfield. With Don King, she transformed women's boxing.
In 2010 she told her husband and former trainer Jim Martin that she had fallen back in love with her former teenage sweetheart, Sherry Lusk. She intended to leave him for Lusk. That allegedly sent Jim into a frenzy, as he is accused of stabbing Christy several times before shooting her and leaving her for dead. She didn't die, and now he's on trial for attempted murder.
Christy Martin (left) in her 2011 comeback match. Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Christy Martin is an iconic female boxer who became the face of the sport in the 1990s. At 49-6-3 she holds the most professional victories of any female boxer, and her record measures up well against greats like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. She is considered one of the pioneers of the sport, having graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1996. She was an undercard draw for some big bouts, including the infamous "ear bite" match between Tyson and Evander Holyfield. With Don King, she transformed women's boxing.
In 2010 she told her husband and former trainer Jim Martin that she had fallen back in love with her former teenage sweetheart, Sherry Lusk. She intended to leave him for Lusk. That allegedly sent Jim into a frenzy, as he is accused of stabbing Christy several times before shooting her and leaving her for dead. She didn't die, and now he's on trial for attempted murder.
Christy hasn’t gotten much attention as an LGBT athlete over the years. In compiling her amazing record over the course of about 15 years in the ring, she was deeply closeted. She’s only fought one bout since rekindling her relationship with Lusk — a loss in 2011 due to a broken hand in the sixth round. Now that Christy is in her new relationship and, she says, healthier mentally than ever, she’s trying to step back into the ring to capture her elusive 50th professional victory.
We'll be following Christy in her quest for her record-setting match. You can also check out truTV, which is covering the trial of her husband. They have a video about Christy, her new partner and the alleged attack.
PHOTO: Christy Martin connects to the body of Dakota Stone as referee David Mendoza looks on during their welterweight bout at Staples Center on June 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
