The adventurers who were commissioned by European royalty during the 15th and 16th Centuries to go and search for land and peoples unknown were a courageous bunch. Their valor resulted in wonderful discoveries, one in particular being that the world was round and not flat.
Christopher Columbus, who is given credit for first connecting with the Americas in a meaningful way, found out that unlike what was previously thought, you did not get to the end at some point and simply fall off the edge. Indeed it was determined that if one sailed long and far enough a return to the starting area was a definite reality.
"Go west young men" was the challenge taken up by many in the eastern United States and countries of Europe during the 18 and 19th centuries. Numerous gold booms later, the western regions of the United States and Canada became developed beyond all expectations and are today some of the finest destinations in the world, the foundations having been laid by strong-spirited men and women, also.
On September 9th, 1989, a gutsy 21-year-old Christy Martin of Orlando, Florida, stepped into a Bristol, Tennessee boxing ring with Angela Buchanan and world female boxing got its spark. Buchanan held Martin to a draw in that first fight. But, as the European adventurers and the pioneers of the west did before her, Martin would blaze a trail of excitement, break new grounds and be the main catalyst behind worldwide acceptance of female boxing.
Today after almost two decades of ring activity, Martin sports a 46-4-2 win-loss-draw record in 52 fights and is the most prolific female fighter ever.
She readily acknowledges being a big fan of former champions Mike Tyson and Hector "Macho" Camacho, but in my view, Martin fights like 'Smokin" Joe Frazier. She brings the same kind of intensity and fiery determination against opponents. A brawler with adequate boxing skills, the message got out very quickly that Christy Martin came to fight, with no playing around.
Seeing this whirlwind activity on the silver screen endeared many to female boxing. She was a hit far beyond the United States, captivating live audiences and otherwise with her busy punching style and her eagerness to toss leather. She personifies toughness in women.
Of our 46 victories, 31 came via the knockout route cementing her reputation as a finisher. When Christy Martin got you in trouble, she turned it up another notch and ended matters.
As was the case with Frazier, she has been upstaged by a fighter named Ali. In 2003, August 23, she met Muhammad Ali's daughter Laila for the IBA Super Middleweight Title and lost. Frazier after his win over Muhammad Ali in their first battle still found himself (even as the undisputed champion), settling for second billing behind the man called "The Greatest."
He would get two more opportunities to extinguish the flame that was Muhammad Ali. He failed.
Martin, because of the weight difference, might never get another shot at Laila who is now the Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, but then, she doesn't need another fight with the new queen of female boxing. This coalminer's daughter has paved the way for Laila Ali and other female champions. Largely because of Christy Martin, directors and producers can make female boxing movies that become blockbusters.
Yes, Martin had much to do with bringing about the general acceptance across the globe of female boxing.
She has indeed crafted a legacy that that will forever link her fundamentally with the rise of female boxing.
Congratulations on a job well done Christy!
- Austin DWI - New York DWI