Boxer Christy Martin: From Fame to Domestic Violence and Survival

The Voice of Silence: Christy Martin and the Night of Violence

The story of Christy Salters Martin, the iconic boxer and the first woman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, is a tale of triumph and tragedy. This article recounts the events of the fateful night of November 23, 2010, when her life took a dramatic turn in her home in Apopka, Florida. It was 5:31 p.m. when James Martin, her husband, attacked her with a nine-inch knife. Christy, who was getting ready to run, was surprised by the brutality of the attack. Initially confused, she did not understand the severity of the wounds her husband inflicted on her. After the first stab, James continued stabbing her repeatedly, piercing her body up to four times. In the midst of the attack, Jim cut his hand with the knife, which gave Christy the opportunity to escape. While trying to flee, she stumbled, and the struggle continued. Jim hit her against the floor and a dresser, nearly tearing off an ear. It was then that Christy noticed the pink 9mm pistol that her husband had in his pocket. After the gun’s magazine fell, Jim used the butt of the gun to hit her in the jaw. In a moment of desperation, Christy shouted at him: “You son of a bitch, you can’t kill me.” Jim then stood up and shot her point-blank in the chest, a few inches from the heart.

While Christy was bleeding out, Jim cleaned the knife and placed the gun next to her body. She begged him to call 911, but he pretended to dial the phone. After almost half an hour, Christy, feeling her strength waning, pleaded with God. Jim, believing he had killed her, went to the shower.

Christy, taking the opportunity, got up and, with a wounded leg, managed to get out of the house. On the street, she stopped a driver and asked for help, handing him the gun. She was taken to the emergency room, while Jim, realizing she had escaped, left the house looking for her.

Ten years later, Christy reflects on her life. At a dinner, she evokes her love for boxing, mentioning female boxers like Katie Taylor and Laila Ali, and values hard work. She remembers her induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, a recognition of her career. Before she was famous, Christy grew up in Itmann, West Virginia, in a humble family. Her father supported her in her sporting dreams. From a young age, she participated in baseball and American football, demonstrating her combative spirit.

Christy met James Martin at the age of 22. In 1989, she participated in a Toughman contest and, surprisingly, was successful. This led her to professional boxing. Initially, Jim, who became her coach, did not accept her. However, over time, he changed his mind when he saw Christy’s potential and the opportunity to make money. Christy stood out for her aggressive style and knockout victories. Her success made her a media figure, and Jim saw the opportunity to profit. He controlled her, isolated her, and manipulated her, affecting her self-esteem and relationships.

Two years after they met, they got married. Christy knew it wasn’t love, but she thought she needed Jim. In the 1990s, women’s boxing flourished. Christy became famous for her knockouts and her personality. Jim controlled her life, her finances, and even her relationships. He watched her and threatened to release compromising images.

Before her career ended in 2012, Christy earned $4.5 million. Although she was a public figure, loneliness tormented her. Jim told her he would kill her if she left him. Deana Gross, a friend of Christy, noticed Jim’s controlling behavior. Christy confided in her that her marriage was over, and Gross remembers her goodbye on the day of the attack.

Christy and Sherry Lusk met again after many years. Sherry suspected that Christy was in danger and using cocaine, provided by Jim. Christy told Sherry that she didn’t feel safe and couldn’t leave Jim. They met in St. Augustine, and Jim threatened her by phone. Before the attack, Christy had told Jim that she wanted a divorce. He responded with threats. Christy’s last words to Sherry were: “This son of a bitch is going to shoot me.”

In the hospital, doctors stabilized Christy, who had two punctured lungs. Her family arrived the next day. Her mother remembers the impact of seeing her daughter in that state. Christy told her mother: “I told you he was crazy, Mom.” After the attack, Christy dreamed of escaping. She still suffers from post-traumatic stress. Domestic violence leaves marks that take a long time to disappear, even with the passage of time.