MARTIN, CHRISTY SIGNED MAGAZINE (SPORTS ILLUSTRATED APRIL 15, 1996)

HISTORY: Christy Renea Martin (born June 12, 1968) is a professional female boxer. Martin is said to be “the most successful and prominent female boxer in the United States” and the person who “legitimized” women’s participation in the sport of boxing. She began her career fighting in “Toughwoman” contests and won three consecutive titles. She then began training with boxing coach, Jim Martin, who became her husband in 1991. On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, Martin was shot and stabbed by her husband and trainer, Jim Martin. Martin started her professional boxing career at the age of 21 with a six round loss to Andrea Buchanan in 1989. Martin won the rematch one month later with a second round knockout. Andrea DeShong then beat Martin in a five round decision. Martin then had nineteen consecutive wins, including two against Jamie Whitcomb and Suzanne Riccio-Major as well a rubber match win against Buchanan. On October 15, 1993 Martin had her first title fight against Beverly Szymansky, for the WBC women's Jr. Welterweight world championship. Martin won by knocking out Szymansky in three rounds. In her first title defense, she fought to a draw against debutant Laura Serrano in Las Vegas. Martin defended her title six more times, including a rematch with Szymansky, a fourth fight with Buchanan and defenses versus Melinda Robinson and Sue Chase, winning all of them, before the fight that many credit for putting women's boxing on the sports fans' radar took place: On March 16, 1996, she and Deirdre Gogarty fought what many consider a great fight, in front of Showtime cameras. Martin got the decision, and after that bout, she began to gain more celebrity, even appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated once shortly afterwards. Martin won her next eight bouts including wins against Robinson, DeShong, Marcela Acuña and Isra Girgrah. Martin lost her title in a 10 round decision loss to Sumya Anani in 1998. Martin then won her next nine more wins including wins against Belinda Laracuente, Sabrina Hall and Kathy Collins. Martin won her next two fights by ten round decisions against Lisa Holeywine and Mia St. John. In 2003 Martin fought Laila Ali and lost by a knockout in the fourth round. Martin's next fight in 2005 was a second round knockout against Lana Alexander in Lulu, Mississippi. In 2005 a fight with Lucia Rijker, entitled "Million Dollar Lady", was canceled because Rijker ruptured her Achilles during training. On September 16, 2005, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Martin lost a 10-round unanimous decision to Holly Holm. Martin was beaten by the 23-year-old southpaw, with all three judges scoring for Holm. Martin holds a record of 49 wins, 5 losses and 3 draws with 31 wins by knockout. She is a frequent visitor of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame annual induction ceremonies, and an avid autograph signer. She has fought on the undercard of boxers Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Félix Trinidad and Julio César Chávez. Martin was promoted by Don King. She was nicknamed The Coal Miner's Daughter in reference to her father's occupation. Martin announced on January 19, 2011 that she will be fighting again for her 50th career win on the undercard of the Ricardo Mayorga vs Miguel Cotto Fight at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 12, 2011 against Dakota Stone in a rematch of their 2009 Fight. The fight was postoned due to a rib injury to Christy Martin. The rescheduled rematch took place June 4, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles on the undercard of the Julio Ceasr Chavez Jr. vs Sebastian Zbik undercard. Dakota Stone prevailed by TKO as Martin apparently broke her right hand on a punch in the 4th round and could not continue. Offered here is an original Sports Illustrated magazine for April 15, 1996 which pictures Christy Martin on the cover and which she has signed.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original Sports Illustrated which is complete. No mailing label. Tight binding. Bold signature, "Best Wishes Christy Martin," in thin black sharpie. Not creased. Minor edge tear at lower front cover with no paper loss. 8" x 10 1/2."