Christy Martin: The First Lady Of Boxing

"The Coal Miner's Daughter" Christy Martin is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of women's boxing. Born on June 12, 1968, in Mullens, West Virginia, Martin began her boxing career in the late 1980s and quickly made a name for herself in the sport. With a remarkable record of 49 wins, 7 losses, and 3 draws, including 31 knockout victories, Martin's impressive career spanned over two decades.

Martin's early life was marked by her determination and athleticism. She played various sports as a child, including Little League baseball and all-state basketball. She attended Concord College on a basketball scholarship and earned a degree in education. Martin's boxing career took off when she began training with her future husband, Jim Martin. She started her professional boxing career at the age of 21 with a six-round draw with Angela Buchanan in 1989. Martin won a rematch with Buchanan one month later with a second-round knockout.

One of the most notable moments in Martin's career was her fight against Deirdre Gogarty on the undercard of Mike Tyson's bout against Frank Bruno on March 16, 1996. Martin won the bout by unanimous decision, and it is often cited as one of the greatest women's boxing matches of all time. The fight's success helped raise the profile of women's boxing and paved the way for future generations of female boxers and further amplified her reach.

Throughout her career, Martin achieved numerous accolades, including holding the WBC female super welterweight title in 2009. Martin's achievements extend beyond her impressive record. She was the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, featured on April 15, 1996, with the headline "The Lady Is a Champ." Martin was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020, recognizing her contributions to the sport. She also made a special guest appearance on the TV show "Roseanne" in 1996, showcasing her charisma and personality beyond the ring.

After a storied career, Martin retired from professional boxing in 2012 with a final record of 49 wins, 7 losses, and 3 draws, with 31 knockout victories. Throughout her career, Martin faced various challenges, including a brutal attack by her husband in 2010, which left her with serious injuries. Despite this, she continues to be involved in boxing, promoting the sport and inspiring others with her story. In her personal life, Martin has found love again, marrying former ring rival Lisa Holewyne on November 25, 2017.

Today, Martin is the CEO of Christy Martin Promotions, a boxing promotion company that has promoted many events in North Carolina since 2016 and will be promoting boxing events in Jacksonville, Florida, and other Southern United States cities. A biopic about her life, starring Sydney Sweeney, is set to release, highlighting her legacy and the ongoing fight for equality in sports. Martin remains a respected figure in the boxing community, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of female boxers.

Christy Martin today with wife Lisa Holewyne

Celebrities You Had No Idea Got In The Ring And Wrestled

Many Celebrities have gotten involved with wrestling over the years, some of which even got in the ring themselves.  Who can forget the famous feud between Andy Kaufman and Jerry “The King” Lawler?  Or when Mr. T teamed up with Hulk Hogan to face Rowdy Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff at the first WrestleMania?  Others were not so memorable, like those on this list.

#5. KEVIN FEDERLINE

Kevin Federline, also known as K-Fed and “Ex-Mr. Britney Spears”, appeared on WWE programming in 2006 to promote his album "Playing with Fire". He got involved in a feud with John Cena, which started with physical altercations on Raw. Federline allied with Johnny Nitro and helped him in a match against Cena. He also interfered in a Champion of Champions match at Cyber Sunday, helping King Booker win.

Federline and Cena had a match on January 1, 2007, on Raw, which Federline won due to interference from Nitro and Umaga. Later that night, Cena retaliated, delivering an FU to Federline twice after his main event match.

#4. REGGIE WHITE

Reggie White, the legendary NFL defensive end, made a couple of appearances in professional wrestling. He was at ringside for WrestleMania XI in 1995, supporting Lawrence Taylor's "All-Stars" in their match against Bam Bam Bigelow.

In 1997, White stepped into the ring for WCW's Slamboree, facing off against fellow NFL alum Steve McMichael in a very unmemorable match that incorporated football-style tackles. Despite a warm reception from the crowd, White lost to McMichael after being hit with a steel briefcase courtesy of Jeff Jarrett. This was White's only professional wrestling match.

#3. MUHAMMAD ALI

The “G.O.A.T.”  had a few notable interactions with professional wrestling and combat sports. His most famous of course was his fight against Japanese wrestling icon Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, in Tokyo, Japan. The bout was a unique spectacle, blending boxing and wrestling, and ended in a draw after 15 rounds.

Ali also had an encounter with professional wrestling when he jumped into the ring during a match between Gorilla Monsoon and Baron Mikel Scicluna on June 2, 1976, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ali removed his shirt, danced around Monsoon, and threw jabs, prompting Monsoon to put Ali in an Airplane Spin and drive him to the mat. Monsoon later commented that Ali "didn't know a wrist lock from a wrist watch!"

Years later, Ali made another notable appearance as the special guest outside referee at WrestleMania I in 1985.

#2. TOBY KEITH

Toby Keith, the country music star, made a couple of appearances in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (then NWA-TNA) in 2002. On June 19, 2002, his music was featured in a storyline where Jeff Jarrett interrupted his playing of "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue." Keith then participated in the Gauntlet for the Gold main event, eliminating Jarrett from the match. The next week, on June 26, he appeared again, helping Scott Hall defeat Jarrett in singles action.

#1. ALEX KARRAS

Alex Karras, best known for playing George Papadopolis, the lovable dad on the popular 80s sitcom "Webster," had a notable connection to professional wrestling. Before his NFL career took off, he signed a contract as a professional wrestler on December 13, 1957. During the six-month off-season, he earned $25,000 from wrestling.

Interestingly, when Karras was suspended from the NFL in 1963 due to betting allegations, he returned to professional wrestling. During this time, he faced opponents like Dick the Bruiser.

Gina Carano: The Original Face of Women's MMA

When women's MMA is mentioned, many people's minds immediately go to Ronda Rousey, the UFC's trailblazing champion who helped catapult women's MMA into the mainstream. However, before Rousey's rise to fame, Gina Carano was widely regarded as the face of women's MMA.  Her pioneering career in the sport helped pave the way for future generations of female fighters. With her unique blend of athleticism, technique, and charisma, Carano quickly became a fan favorite and a household name in the MMA world.

Gina Carano's entry into MMA was preceded by a successful Muay Thai career, which she began under the guidance of her then-boyfriend Kevin Ross, a professional Muay Thai fighter. With a Muay Thai record of 12-1-1, Carano transitioned to MMA and quickly made a name for herself. She won her first MMA fight in just 38 seconds against Leiticia Pestova with World Extreme Fighting, one of the earliest sanctioned female MMA bouts in Nevada. Carano continued her winning streak, knocking out Rosi Sexton in the second round at the World Pro Fighting show in Las Vegas.

As one of the first women to gain widespread recognition in the sport, Carano's impact on women's MMA cannot be overstated. She was a true trailblazer, breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes along the way. Her success in the cage helped demonstrate that women could compete at a high level, paving the way for others to follow in her footsteps.

On August 15, 2009, Gina Carano faced Cris Cyborg for the Strikeforce Women's Championship, at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg.  Carano, who was 7-0-0 going into the fight, was looking to continue her undefeated streak. However, she lost the fight by TKO at 4:59 in the first round, marking her first professional MMA loss. The title was initially called the Strikeforce Women's Lightweight Championship, despite being a 145-pound division (typically referred to as featherweight), and was later renamed the Strikeforce Women's Middleweight Championship. Carano never fought again.

She was slated to return to Strikeforce and her return was officially announced in February 2011.  She was set to face Sarah D'Alelio on June 18, 2011, at the Overeem vs. Werdum event in Dallas. However, the plans fell through. Initially, Strikeforce claimed Carano failed her pre-fight medical exam, but it was later revealed she was medically cleared and removed from the card for other reasons.

Carano considered an MMA comeback in April 2014, and UFC President Dana White tried to sign a dream fight between her and Ronda Rousey for December 2014, but it never happened as contract talks stalled.  Carano hasn't competed since 2009 and has four fights left on her UFC contract, which was inherited from her Strikeforce deal. Interestingly, Carano has not been a playable fighter in the UFC video games.

After leaving MMA, Carano shifted her focus to acting, landing a notable role as Cara Dune in the popular Star Wars series, The Mandalorian. However, her stint was cut short when she was fired in February 2021 due to controversy surrounding her social media posts.

Gina Carano's influence on women's MMA is still felt today, and her legacy continues to inspire new fighters and fans alike. She may not have been the only factor in the growth of women's MMA, but she was undoubtedly a key figure in its development.

Wrestling Championships You Had No Idea Existed

 #5. - WWF NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The WWF North American Heavyweight Championship existed from 1979 to 1981, initially established as the WWWF North American Heavyweight Championship before the promotion's name change. Ted DiBiase was the inaugural champion, while notable transitions included Pat Patterson's reign, which ended when he was recognized as the Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion after “winning” a fictitious tournament. Later, Seiji Sakaguchi won the North American title from Patterson in a New Japan Pro-Wrestling house show, becoming the final champion and marking the end of the title's relatively short existence.

#4. - WCW WOMEN’S CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

The WCW Women's Cruiserweight Championship was a short-lived title created in 1997 as a joint venture between WCW and GAEA Japan. The title had three champions: Toshie Uematsu, who won the inaugural title by defeating Malia Hosaka on April 7, 1997; Yoshiko Tamura; and Sugar Sato, who had the longest reign. Despite its creation, the title was mostly used in Japan, with the tournament final only being shown on WCW Main Event and never mentioned again on WCW television. The title was defended and changed hands twice in Japan before being abandoned in early 1998, and it was officially deactivated on April 3, 1998, when GAEA Japan and WCW ended their relationship.

#3. - WWF CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The WWF Canadian Championship was a short-lived title, with Dino Bravo being the sole champion. It was created to appeal to fans in Eastern Canada, but due to its limited recognition and usage, the title was vacated after Bravo left the company in 1986.

#2. - WWF WORLD MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPIONSHIP

The WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship had a surprisingly long existence of 4031 days, despite being largely forgotten. Created for Antonio Inoki, the title was primarily defended in MMA-style matches in Japan, with predetermined outcomes. Inoki held the title for most of its existence, with the exception of a brief 31-day reign by Shota Chochishvili, who lost it back to Inoki in a rematch. The title failed to boost Inoki's profile or gain significant traction in the promotion.

HONORABLE MENTION - WCW CRUISERWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

The WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship was a short-lived title introduced in February 2001 to boost the cruiserweight division, but it was retired just a month later when WCW's assets were sold to the WWF (now WWE). The title is more infamous for its poorly designed belts than its brief history, making the unattractive design a lasting part of its legacy.

#1. - ECW MARYLAND CHAMPIONSHIP

The ECW Maryland Championship, also known as the NWA Maryland Heavyweight Championship, was a short-lived title that existed only in 1993. JT Smith won the title in a battle royal, but it was essentially a non-title, as it was retired without being defended or used in any meaningful way. Its brief existence and lack of usage make it a rare and obscure title in professional wrestling history.  I can’t even find a picture of the physical belt!

The Darkest Day in Boxing History

The night of June 16, 1983, was a highly controversial and tragic event in boxing history.  Spectators packed NYC’s famed Madison Square Garden for the fight between Roberto Duran and Davey Moore, but that night is more remembered for the infamous undercard bout between “Irish” Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto.

THE FIGHT

Billy Collins Jr. was born into a working-class Irish family in Antioch, Tennessee, where he was introduced to boxing by his father and trainer, Billy Collins Sr. A welterweight professional boxer in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Collins Sr. won 38 of his 56 professional fights. Following in his father's footsteps, Collins Jr. began training at a young age and went on to win his first 14 professional fights as a welterweight.

Luis Resto, born in Juncos, Puerto Rico, moved to the Bronx with his family at the age of nine. Resto's boxing career began to take shape as he trained at the Police Athletic Leagues Lynch Center, where he became a two-time New York Golden Gloves amateur state champion in the welterweight division. His notable achievements include winning the 1975 and 1976 147 lb Golden Gloves Open Championships, with a victory over Miguel Hernandez in the 1976 finals. Resto's professional boxing career was defined by his role as a journeyman.

Billy Collins Jr. was the betting favorite going into the fight, but he suffered a unanimous decision loss after taking a heavy beating for most of the bout against Luis Resto.

After the fight, Billy Collins Sr. noticed that Luis Resto's gloves felt unusually thin when he went to shake hands. He accused Resto's corner of tampering with the gloves, claiming they had removed padding and filled them with chalk. An investigation by the New York State Boxing Commission investigated the glove tampering incident and found that Resto's trainer, Panama Lewis, was responsible for removing the padding. The commission held Resto partially accountable, suspending his license for at least a year, effectively banning him from boxing in the US during that time. However, he never fought again.  As a result, Resto's win was changed to a no contest. The commission also implemented new rules to prevent similar incidents in the future.

(Collins’ injuries from the fight)

AFTERMATH

Billy Collins Jr.'s boxing career was cut short due to the devastating injuries he sustained in the fight against Luis Resto including a torn iris and permanently blurred vision.  He struggled with depression and addiction afterward. Tragically, Collins died on March 6, 1984, in a car accident at the age of 22 near his home in Antioch, Tennessee. According to reports, including an account in Sports Illustrated, the crash was intentional.

The Collins family filed a lawsuit in July 1983 against Luis Resto, Panama Lewis, Top Rank Boxing, and others, citing gross negligence and loss of income. The suit against Everlast was dismissed, as the court found the company not liable for the tampered gloves. The Collins family also sued the New York State Boxing Commission, alleging failure to protect Billy Collins Jr., but the court ruled in favor of the commission.

In a separate case, Panama Lewis and Luis Resto were tried and found guilty of assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and conspiracy in 1986. Resto served 2.5 years in prison. The state's rules were later changed to prevent similar incidents.

ASSAULT IN THE RING DOCUMENTARY

For years Luis Resto denied knowing about the tampered gloves used in his fight against Billy Collins Jr. However, during the making of the 2008 documentary "Assault in the Ring," Resto was confronted with a transcript of a police interview in which he had previously admitted that his trainer, Panama Lewis, took his gloves into the bathroom. Resto then acknowledged that Lewis had tampered with the gloves and that he, Resto, had knowledge of the tampering during the fight. Resto further disclosed that Lewis had used plaster of Paris on his hand wraps, which increased his punching power. Resto apologized to Collins' widow and visited Collins' gravesite, expressing remorse. In a 2008 press conference, Resto stated that he knew about the glove tampering beforehand and had done nothing to stop it, stating that he was young and went along with it, despite being 28 years old at the time.

There were allegations of a large bet on Resto's win. Resto initially pointed to Lewis but later mentioned his cornerman Artie Curley was involved in wrapping his hands. The exact details and motivations behind the incident remain unclear.

Panama Lewis maintained his innocence until his death in 2020, with some speculating that the gloves might have been tampered with after the official inspection. However, the severe damage inflicted on Billy Collins Jr. during the fight has been cited as evidence that the gloves were indeed altered before the bout. Lewis denied any wrongdoing when confronted by Luis Resto and the documentary team, instead pointing to Artie Curley, saying that if Curley were alive, "none of this would have happened to him," suggesting Lewis believed Curley played a role in the events surrounding the fight.

Luis Resto was allowed to work as a cornerman in New York State after years of trying to regain his license.

LEGACY

The Collins-Resto fight serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of fair play and safety in sports. It led to increased scrutiny of boxing regulations and safety protocols, with many states and organizations implementing stricter guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future.