Connect with us

Articles of 2006

Christy Martin Still Wants to Trade With Lucia Rijker

Published

on

Only a handful of women have more than 50 professional fights and Christy Martin – the prizefighter known as the “Coalminer’s Daughter” – is one of the few.

Martin, a native of West Virginia, faces Angelica Martinez (5-2-1) on Oct. 6 in a 10-round contest in the Couer d’Alene Casino in Worley, Idaho. It won’t be televised.

Now 38, Martin has endured almost every type of challenge imaginable in the sport of boxing including world title matches, fighting with little notice and sometimes without pay. But one thing is still missing: a fight with Lucia Rijker.

“I haven’t spoken to her since the fight was canceled,” said Martin (46-4-2, 31 KOs), who was scheduled to meet her nemesis Rijker a year ago in a much-publicized event that was scrapped within two weeks of the fight. Rijker was allegedly cut down by an injury but no records of her injury were ever released.

It was a sizzling matchup that many boxing fans had anticipated since 1999 when both were recognized as the top women boxers in the world, especially since they seemed to hate each other with a passion.

The hate began in 1999 when Martin appeared at a press conference at the old Olympic Auditorium to publicize a pending fight. Suddenly Rijker, who had been hungrily seeking a fight with Martin, appeared during the press conference to challenge the West Virginia boxer to a showdown. It quickly turned into an ugly scene where both women exchanged punches and noses were bloodied.

At the time, many debated over which woman was the best female fighter in the world: Martin with her one-punch power or Rijker with her overall speed and technique. Despite several attempts to get the two in the ring, it did not materialize.

“What can I do to get this lady in the ring,” said Rijker during a World Boxing Hall of Fame ceremony in 2001.

When Martin accepted a challenge from Mia St. John in 2002 in Pontiac, Michigan, there was Rijker in the audience shouting taunts.

“She was basically stalking me,” said Martin who beat St. John that night by a surprise decision, not a knockout.

After St. John, Martin challenged the much bigger Laila Ali in an enormously popular match that saw more than 8,000 people crowd a Mississippi casino to watch the two female boxing icons. Ali won by knockout but Martin had proved her mettle. Rijker seethed with anger.

“I wanted to be the one to knock out Christy Martin,” said Rijker, who then challenged Ali to no avail.

“Lucia Rijker is a gifted fighter but she’s no match for me. I proved that against Christy Martin. She’s too small,” said Ali after the fight. “It’s not going to prove a thing.”

A year later, when the Academy Award-winning motion picture “Million Dollar Baby” captured the hearts of millions, boxing promoter Bob Arum was convinced that it was time for Martin to meet Rijker in a million dollar match.

At the swanky Beverly Hills Hotel the two adversaries met with Top Rank’s Arum and gleefully posed for photos. Both were ecstatic that their dream of a lucrative payday was about to be fulfilled. But a few weeks before the fight was to take place in Las Vegas on July 30, 2005, it was burst like a bubble. The fight was canceled and never rescheduled.

“I still don’t know what happened,” said Martin who never received a penny for that fight despite spending money for training and sparring partners. “I was in the best shape of my career.”

Rijker disappeared from public view like a boxing version of Greta Garbo. Rumors swirled that she was not really hurt and others claim she was overcome with fear.

“I still have not talked to her,” Martin said.

Fighting back depression after spending weeks in intense training, Martin decided to accept a match with a fighter named Holly “Hottie” Holm a hometown favorite in New Mexico. Martin was shut out on all three scorecards against the always moving southpaw.

“I never got hit. In every fight I get marks and swelling but I didn’t hit all night,” said Martin. “I thought at least the Nevada judge would give me the fight or most of the rounds because I was the aggressor, but he didn’t…I’d like to fight her again but somewhere else. Not in New Mexico.”

Now Martin faces Martinez, a fighter who fought Holm three times resulting in two losses and a draw.

“She likes to come forward,” said Martin of Martinez. “So do I.”

Though she’s preparing diligently as ever, the empty feeling of a job left undone remains with Martin.

“If Lucia Rijker can read this I still want to fight her,” Martin says. “We have unfinished business.”

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles4 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles20 hours ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles4 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending