Christy Martin is a name that changed the face of women’s boxing. A former world champion known as “The Coal Miner’s Daughter,” she rose to prominence in the 1990s with a fierce fighting style and a presence that demanded attention. But behind the fame and power in the ring was a darker story — one of survival, abuse, and eventual rebirth. Today, Martin is not just remembered as a fighter, but as a survivor and advocate who continues to make an impact outside the ropes.
- “Christy Martin – The Fight of Her Life”: 48 Hours Reports November 8 2025
- Who Is Jim Martin & Where Is He Now? 2025 Update & Background
Breaking Barriers in the Boxing World
Born Christy Renea Salters on June 12, 1968, in Mullens, West Virginia, she began boxing in Toughwoman competitions before going pro in 1989. Her early years were marked by determination and grit, leading to a contract with legendary promoter Don King in 1993. She became the first woman to sign with King and fought on major undercards, including those of Mike Tyson and Julio César Chávez.
In 1996, Martin made history when she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, becoming the first female boxer to achieve such a distinction. Her fight that year against Deirdre Gogarty, broadcast during a Mike Tyson pay-per-view, is widely credited with legitimizing women’s boxing in the eyes of mainstream sports fans. Over her 23-year career, she compiled a professional record of 49 wins, 7 losses, and 3 draws, with 32 victories by knockout.
A Hidden Struggle Outside the Ring
While Martin was celebrated as a pioneer in the ring, her personal life was filled with torment. She married her trainer, Jim Martin, in 1991. Behind closed doors, the relationship was built on emotional, physical, and psychological abuse. Jim was 25 years older, and their marriage was marked by control, manipulation, and violence. He also supplied her with drugs and used her dependence on cocaine as a means of coercion.
Martin kept her sexuality a secret, fearful of being outed by her husband who frequently threatened to expose her if she ever left him. For years, she stayed silent about both the abuse and her identity, trapped in a marriage that intertwined with her career and public image.
Attempted Murder and Survival
In November 2010, after reconnecting with a former girlfriend and deciding to leave her husband, Christy told Jim she wanted a divorce. That same day, he attacked her inside their Florida home, stabbing her multiple times and shooting her in the chest. Left for dead, she somehow managed to escape and flag down help.
Christy survived the attempt on her life and underwent a long recovery — not just physically, but emotionally. In 2012, Jim Martin was convicted of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He died in custody in November 2024.
Life After Boxing: Advocacy, Healing, and Purpose
Since surviving the attack, Martin has rebuilt her life with a new sense of purpose. In 2017, she married former opponent and fellow boxer Lisa Holewyne. Their relationship, founded on mutual respect and shared history, brought a long-sought sense of peace and authenticity.
Martin founded Christy Martin Promotions, a boxing promotion company based in North Carolina that aims to elevate new talent in the sport she helped shape. She’s also become a national speaker on domestic violence, sharing her story with inmates, students, and survivors in shelters. Her goal is to break the silence around abuse and offer hope to others who feel trapped in toxic relationships.
In 2021, her story was featured in the Netflix documentary Untold: Deal with the Devil. She later released her memoir, Fighting for Survival, which delves into her childhood abuse, struggles with addiction, and the complexities of being a closeted lesbian in the hyper-masculine world of boxing. In 2025, her life was dramatized in a biopic titled Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and drew widespread attention to her legacy.
Where She Is Now
Today, Christy Martin remains a powerful voice in the fight against domestic violence. While no longer an active competitor, she stays closely involved in the boxing world through her promotion company and ongoing mentorship of young fighters. She continues to live in the Southern United States with her wife and works tirelessly to raise awareness, advocate for survivors, and redefine what it means to be a champion.
Her legacy is no longer just about the belts she won or the fights she survived — it’s about the lives she’s changing by speaking the truth that nearly killed her. Christy Martin proved that strength isn’t only measured in punches, but in the ability to rise again and help others do the same.
More “Christy Martin – The Fight of Her Life”
- “Christy Martin – The Fight of Her Life”: 48 Hours Reports November 8 2025
- Who Is Christy Martin & Where Is She Now? 2025 Update & Background
- Who Is Jim Martin & Where Is He Now? 2025 Update & Background