Christy Martin, a trailblazer for women's boxing, has married her former rival Lisa Holewyne. The couple tied the knot in 2017, years after Martin survived a brutal attack by her ex-husband, Jim Martin. Their relationship began when Holewyne reached out to Martin after the assault, and their friendship eventually blossomed into romance.
Martin, known as "The Coal Miner's Daughter," had a storied career from 1989 to 2012, winning the WBC female super welterweight title in 2009. She was the first woman signed by promoter Don King and fought on undercards of legends like Mike Tyson. Her record stands at 49 wins, 31 by knockout.
In 2010, Martin told her then-husband and trainer Jim Martin she wanted a divorce. He responded by stabbing her multiple times and shooting her, leaving her for dead. Martin survived, and Jim was convicted of attempted second-degree murder, sentenced to 25 years in prison. He died in prison in 2024.
Martin has spoken openly about her struggles with her sexuality, saying she lived for years trying to make her family happy before marrying Holewyne. She now works as a boxing analyst, motivational speaker, and runs her own promotion company. She has been inducted into multiple boxing halls of fame.
Her life story is being adapted into a film starring Sydney Sweeney, with a trailer recently released. Martin expressed gratitude for the support and praised the actors' performances, saying the movie captures her journey of resilience and courage.
