Shivangi Sinha
The life of Christy Martin has been marked by both triumph and trauma. While she rose to fame as one of the most celebrated female boxers, her personal life is marred by deep turmoil. Her marriage to trainer Jim Martin allegedly turned abusive, leading to a violent attack in 2010 that nearly cost her life. Despite the trauma, Christy found the strength to rebuild and later discovered love again with former boxer Lisa Holewyne, who brought peace and support into her life. CBS’ ‘48 Hours: Christy Martin — The Fight of Her Life’ chronicles the brutal incident and how Lisa’s presence helped Christy heal and rediscover happiness.
Lisa Holewyne Met Christy Martin For the First Time in a Boxing Match
Lisa Holewyne was born in Hawaii on March 10, 1966, and moved with her family to Austin, Texas, at a young age. She attended Spring Branch High School in Houston, where her passion for sports quickly became evident. Excelling in athletics, she especially enjoyed softball and track. After graduating in 1984, she enrolled at the University of Texas, where she earned a degree in Business Administration. During college, Lisa competed in the demanding seven-event heptathlon, showcasing her drive and versatility. Her athletic spirit eventually led her to boxing, and in June 1998, she made her professional debut against Robyn Covino, securing victory in her very first match.
Lisa continued her boxing career for about eight years, during which she faced several tough opponents and earned multiple regional Golden Gloves titles. It was through the sport that she first crossed paths with Christy Martin. The two met officially in the ring in November 2001 during a match in Las Vegas, Nevada. At that time, Christy was still married to Jim Martin, and the two women didn’t interact much outside the professional circuit. Lisa remained active on the women’s boxing scene for several years before deciding to retire. In 2006, after her final victory against Tonya Gallegos, she hung up her gloves, closing her career with a record of 25 wins, 17 losses, and two draws, including eight knockouts.
Christy has shared how she and Lisa eventually found their way to each other. After surviving the attack by her ex-husband, Jim Martin, Christy was in recovery when Lisa reached out to check on her. Their conversations began out of concern but soon grew into something deeper. Christy has said that she found comfort in Lisa’s presence, and over time, they both realized they wanted to build a life together. After dating for a while, Lisa proposed in a simple, heartfelt moment in a hotel parking lot. Christy later recalled how she matter-of-factly told her mother about the wedding, even though her parents reportedly disapproved of it. Determined to live on her own terms, Christy married Lisa on November 25, 2017, and the two have been inseparable since.
Related
Lisa Holewyne is Blissfully Happy in Her Life With Her Wife Today
Since stepping away from her boxing career, Lisa Holewyne has found success in several business ventures and personal pursuits. After her retirement in 2006, she shifted her focus toward entrepreneurship and began running a home remodeling business in Austin, Texas, the same city where she and Christy built their life together. In August 2019, Lisa was inducted into the Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame, a well-deserved recognition of her contributions to the sport and her years of dedication in the ring. Though it’s unclear if she continues to manage the remodeling business today, she appears deeply content with the peaceful life she shares with Christy and their beloved dog, Champ.
The couple often spends their days surrounded by family and close friends, creating new traditions and cherishing small routines from cooking breakfast together to spending quiet mornings at home. Lisa has always been proud of Christy’s accomplishments and often celebrates her wife’s achievements publicly, standing by her side at every milestone. As the upcoming biopic ‘Christy’ approaches release, Lisa has been a constant source of encouragement and support, attending events and cheering her on through the film’s promotional journey. Today, Lisa remains a grounding presence for Christy, and together, they’ve built a partnership rooted in love and mutual admiration.
