Shivangi Sinha
Christy Martin is a celebrated boxer who played a pivotal role in elevating women’s boxing in the US. While she appeared strong and successful in the public eye, her personal life told a different story. In 2010, she was hospitalized with multiple stab wounds and a gunshot injury to her chest. Her then-husband, Jim Martin, was charged with attempted murder, and Christy later revealed that their marriage had been a façade, marked by years of alleged abuse. CBS’ ‘48 Hours: Christy Martin — The Fight of Her Life’ chronicles the events surrounding her attack and its aftermath.
Christy Martin Was at the Peak of Her Career When Jim Martin Attacked Her
Christine Renea Salters was born on June 12, 1968, to Joyce Faye and Johnny Salters Jr. AKA John in Mullens, West Virginia. She was a bright, intelligent student who excelled at Mullens High School. Christy grew up with her brother, Randall John Salters. Quite early on, the family faced a loss when Joyce and Johnny’s infant son, J.B. “John Boyd” Salters, lost his life. Christy and Randall shared a loving relationship. Christy was always athletic and developed a passion for basketball at a young age. Christy later shared that when she was in fifth or sixth grade, she realized she was gay, adding that her sexuality was a revelation her parents initially struggled to accept.
At the time, Christy was dating a girl named Sherry Lusk, a teammate on her basketball team, which further upset her family. Seeking independence and the freedom to live openly, she left home to attend Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, on a basketball scholarship, where she went on to earn her Bachelor of Education degree. Her rise in boxing began in the late 1980s, when she competed in “Toughwoman” contests, winning three straight titles that set the tone for her future in the ring. She met Jim Martin, who became her trainer and then her husband in 1991. She was 22, while he was 47 when they tied the knot.
Christy alleged that Jim made her feel uncomfortable in her sexuality and convinced her to marry him. She turned professional at 21 and quickly made her mark with a series of victories, including a powerful knockout against Beverly Szymansky in 1993. That same year, she signed with promoter Don King, which propelled her to national prominence. Her 1996 bout against Deirdre Gogarty on the Mike Tyson–Frank Bruno undercard brought women’s boxing mainstream attention and earned her the Sports Illustrated cover. Over the next decade, Christy fought some of the best, including Laila Ali and Holly Holm, which cemented her legacy as a trailblazer in women’s boxing.
Christy later revealed that as her fame grew, Jim’s behavior allegedly became increasingly controlling and abusive. She claimed he frequently threatened to expose her struggles with substance use to maintain power over her. According to Christy, their marriage had become one of convenience for him. In March 2010, she reconnected with her former partner, Sherry, and decided she wanted a divorce from Jim, which allegedly triggered a violent spiral. On November 23, 2010, she fled their home with multiple stab wounds, a deep gash on her leg, and a gunshot wound to her chest, claiming Jim had attacked her. He was arrested shortly after, and in April 2012, was convicted of attempted second-degree murder, despite maintaining that he had acted in self-defense.
Christy Martin is Carrying Forth Her Boxing Legacy in Myriad Ways Today
After Jim Martin’s arrest, Christy Martin focused on rebuilding her life and returning to the ring. Following her recovery in the hospital, she made a comeback in June 2011, facing Dakota Stone at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. However, the fight ended painfully when she suffered a severe hand injury that required hospitalization and months of therapy. Realizing her body could no longer endure the demands of boxing, Christy announced her retirement in 2012. Her legacy, however, continued to grow. She became one of the first inductees into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014.
In 2016, Christy made history again as the first female boxer inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. In 2020, she was honored by the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Her life and achievements have been inspiring to many, and she is regarded as one of the pioneers in women’s boxing. In June 2022, she released her book titled ‘Fighting for Survival: My Journey through Boxing Fame, Abuse, Murder, and Resurrection.’ Her work has also inspired a biopic titled ‘Christy’ starring Sydney Sweeney, which was released in November 2025. Christy spent a lot of time with the team and developed a close friendship with the actress who essays the titular role; the two have been spotted together at various events frequently.
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Christy Martin Has a Loving Wife Who Supports Her Every Step of the Way
On the personal front, Christy Salters Martin kept her heart open and eventually found love again with Lisa Holewyne, a former boxer and one-time opponent in the ring. Their shared history in the sport has strengthened their bond, and together they have built a peaceful life in Austin, Texas, where they live with their beloved dog, Champ. They got married on November 25, 2017, and have been by each other’s side since then. Beyond her promotional and philanthropic work, Christy has also taken on brand endorsements, collaborating with companies like Drink One Water and other lifestyle brands that align with her values.
These days, Christy remains active in the public eye, participating in film promotions and projects that celebrate her remarkable life and career. On the family front, she appeared to have mended the differences with her parents. She was hit with a tragedy when her brother, Randy, passed away on November 28, 2020. Over four years later, on February 28, 2025, Christy lost her mother, Joyce, too, in Beckley, West Virginia. As she and her father reel with the loss of Randy and Joyce, they continue to maintain a close relationship with each other and move on by keeping their memories alive. Her story continues to inspire fans and audiences worldwide, and she looks forward to the future with optimism and purpose. For Christy, life after boxing has been about embracing new opportunities while cherishing the peace she has finally found.
