SCOTT SELKIRK: That he had been shot and stabbed. But the main event was clearly when Christy got up on that stand. Prosecutor Ryan Vescio was worried: would Christy be able to testify at the trial? Thirteen bouts are scheduled, purses $600 to $6,000. Pain was for other people. Her fee soared from the low thousands to $350,000 paydays. Christy Martin says she knew she was signing up for a life-or-death battle with her husband Jim Martin when she reunited with her high school sweetheart Sherry Lusk in November 2010. It just seemed like it was easy. "I didn't really have a choice.". "I could never have imagined it," Joyce says of her daughter's professional achievement. "Like, why didn't I do something about it? Christy's relationship with her parents has improved and they continue to grow closer. ), Jim pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted first-degree murder, attempted manslaughter and aggravated battery. CHRISTY SALTERS-MARTIN [crying on video]: Don't let me die, please don't let me die I just kept begging, don't let me die. Johnny isn't like that. "I can't get it to work," he says. Jim followed her there and then started texting and calling. Christy Salters-Martin: I know that people think that. "I need to show you something," he says. And so I went the next day and married Jim. JIM MARTIN [audio]: I didn't know how long I was there because I was just out. "Every time I see somebody, they ask, 'How's Christy doing?' The jury saw photos of Christy's injuries and heard from the doctors who saved her life. Still living a double life, Christy was always dressed in pink. Wikipedia The field was large. She says her dad pushed her to dream bigwith one excruciating exception: her love-life. Boxing Chrissy was married to Jim Martin. Asked if she ever saw any clues as to who Jim truly was, Joyce chews on the question, then answers. "Why go 10 rounds?" If you happen to be reared, as Martin was, in the forlorn heart of rural West Virginia, flanked by dense hollers, inhaling air thick with the dust and fume of an industry indifferent to your survival, you know your worth with firm certainty. According to a report, their courtship Beer stickers on the wall, a poster of a woman splayed on the hood of a Corvette, back arched. Today. You can see her stretching and you can see it's not instinctual and you can see that she almost doesn't want to do it, that she has to take a breath and smile.". The pair began a romantic relationship in high school. Cause I loved her so much. "In high school, Sherry was here at the house a lot," Joyce says. Then, Hancock surprised everyone and rested his case after calling just two witnesses. "You could feel Christy's intensity. By 2007 her career was on the ropes and, according to Christy, Jim had spent all of their money. Martin prays on it but remains wary of forgiveness. Editor's note: This story contains graphic descriptions of domestic violence. Christy became the only female boxer to ever make the cover of Sports Illustrated. The music begins blaring and Martin perks up. He made me feel it's me against the world." But still she keeps the list. When he rolled down his window, she tossed her bloody gun into his car, jumped into the backseat and begged him to take her to the emergency room. The tenderness floored Martin. SCOTT SELKIRK: No. As teens, Lusk and Martin invented reasons to spend time together. Her younger brother, Randy, also found employment (and suffered grave injuries) in the mines. Martin's extended family, like so many in factory towns, lived within a mile of one another, kitty-corner or down the block. They rib each other about their respective records. Lusk asked Martin repeatedly why she didn't leave her husband. Then her husband tried to kill her. Moments later, he fired one shot into her chest, missing her heart by just inches. The whole family swallowed their share of hardship and hard luck, but it isn't as if they ever expected any different. Christy Salters-Martin: It was the first time ever I realized maybe they didn't believe me. IMDbPro. "All the time, you're battling in your brain about who you are," Martin remembers. "A tiny little speck of a nothing town. "And then in four months I was married to this woman," she says of Lisa, laughing. Christy Salters-Martin: And so, I said, "My head's killin' me. Barra got that from a police report, and photos of blood found in Selkirk's kitchen. A few weeks before she saw Lusk, Martin had told Jim she wanted to divorce him. DEBORAH BARRA: So, you would see him actually walk over, pick up her phone and go through it? "I was shocked that he hurt her," Joyce says. 54 Year Olds. Martin can't recall exactly how long she lay on the bedroom floor, only that when she heard the water running she knew instantly it was her last chance to escape. Christy Salters-Martin: But I get to the car It's the wrong keys. Young Latinx families file in, filling seats along with middle-aged couples of all races, groups of women, 20-somethings dressed in shiny clothes on dates. However, it was at home where she fought her biggest battle the one for her life. Just as soon as my head stops hurting, I'm gonna go work out.". And it was, like, bam, instantly he stabbed me. Martin was meant to be chum for her more established opponent. You unleash so much violence on yourself you barely recognize when the violence comes from somewhere else. She believed she owed him everything.". He also sensed a unique opportunity about what this particular woman could do for him. She wanted the judge to know that she was still terrified. Jim Martin, who had been denied bail, was doing everything he could to discredit his wife. Salters Martin, meanwhile, has come out publicly, married her one-time competitor Lisa Holewyne, and become an advocate for victims of domestic violence. he's too strong. Web - . But that didn't stop Jim Martin, who told the media that he was the victim. "She became famous beatin' the hell out of people," Begnaud comments to prosecutor Deborah Barra. The life and near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin Martin met Sherry Lusk, left, in eighth grade. Martin has confronted her parents about those early days. Christy Salters-Martin: You know, I tell him everything. right then, it changed. Jim Martin claims Christy is the one who was armed that day, with her gun and the knife. His fear of Christy, he said, also explained why he fled the crime scene. Christy Salters-Martin: he thought "It'll be a sideshow, but I think I can get her in position where we can make some money.". Ryan Vescio: The size of that courtroom is about the size of a boxing ring. And that bullet that just missed Christy's heart? Martin has knocked out more than half her opponents. Half an hour later, the fights are over, and Martin and Holewyne have hit the Hard Rock rooftop bar for the after-party. No, I don't know where you got that. Christy Martin, now a boxing promoter, advocates for victims of domestic abuse through her non-profit"Christy's Champs.". The pair began a romantic relationship in high school. Please enter valid email address to continue. "I told you he was crazy, Mom.". I'm done --". Unable to sleep, Christy says she was putting on her running shoes, when Jim walked in and said he had something to show her. "Wow, look at this woman. People like that, they knew her. The first thing her daughter said to her? She indicated she was suffering from a migraine, and Jim went in concerned about her health and got attacked. Christy Salters-Martin: I walked into the gym thinking, that I was going to meet this guy that, you know, wanted to train me. Round-by-Round coverage: How Tommy Fury vs. Jake Paul played out, Inside the creation of Jake Paul's 'Stardust Warriors' trunks, WBO orders Crawford title defense vs. Rocha, Serrano injured; rematch with Taylor postponed, Fury wins split decision to hand Paul first loss, Davis-Garcia bout finalized, moved to April 22, Sources: Taylor, Lopez agree to June 10 title bout, British officials looking into Lara spitting incident, WBC clears popular Benn of intentional doping, Women's boxing divisional rankings: Thorslund, Fundora solidify spots after dominant performances, Divisional rankings: Lara still No. steve kelly radio; finding peace in the midst of chaos sermon. Discover the stars Back before she sank her wants to the bottom of the ocean. Christy Salters-Martin: As a fighter, I didn't settle. Ryan Vescio reminded the jury that the knife was in Jim's possession for seven days after the incident. And an athlete and a coach to have a really good bond like they have to be able to get in your head. Everyone became untrustworthy. Martin competed on the boys' basketball team from fourth through seventh grades. She left her daughter's bedroom just as it was when Martin moved away from West Virginia. An amalgam of technique, will and rage, she had good feet, balletic form, startling reach. DEPUTY SHERIFF TODD MOORE: and if he didn't drop the knife that I was gonna shoot him. IMDb Best of 2022. Christy Salters-Martin: Finally, I realize, "he can't let you live." The first fight is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Martin likes an early start. The entire time, he's sharpenin' a knife. Martin and Holewyne drape their arms around each other, toast to the success of the night. Her wife, Lisa Holewyne, 54, tries to soothe her, but the nightmares make her sad. Christy Salters-Martin: And I told him. ", It took the jury five hours to find James Martin guilty of attempted second-degree murder. "Like Don King," quips referee Frank Santore Jr. One flight up, boxers dressed in sweats and slides (a few lucky ones in satin jackets embroidered with their name) are briefed on the local rules -- three knockdowns, you're out; hit an opponent when they're down, lose two points. "I just knew it wasn't in West Virginia.". How her family was ashamed of her. Old pals buy the pair shots and chatter about Martin's early fighting days. In a universe of uncertainty, boxing offers the explicit promise of knowing your value. "Why would they mess with me like that?". David Begnaud: So, you think they're fighting over the gun, right? Not really. According to Jim, Martin's father told him to throw her out, to toss her belongings in the street. He referred to these threats as promises. That a gun misfired during a struggle. Holewyne does her own laps, helping where she can, steering clear where she can't. Sometimes Gross would be working out and notice Jim scrolling through Martin's phone while Martin was in the locker room or she'd catch him hovering by the whirlpool, watching Martin. She wants to control what she can, as long as she can. "Good luck and God bless," the official says. Martin met Sherry Lusk, left, in eighth grade. She'd talk, but it didn't sound the same, you know? The stranger took one look at her condition, nodded for Martin to get in. "It was aggravating. "I love you, I'm sorry." "That boy has his chin up way too high. In November 2017, Christy married fellow boxer, and one-time opponent, Lisa Holewyne. And she said, 'Well that's who it was.' And I was ready to die.". My mom encouraged me to go back and let him train me. They opened a boxing gym and worked on Christy's career. ", Christy Salters-Martin: To me, it was tellin' him, "I don't fear you anymore.". "We never thought it would turn into what it did.". Listen. They're grown, they explain, thus the lack of clichd romance. Martin set herself apart via KOs and media savvy. Over time, Martin turned out to be a great fighter for all the usual reasons and some unexpected ones. Then her husband tried to kill her. And she said, "that's my gun." The exposure led to an offer of a professional boxing bout. Christy Martin was a worldwide sensation in the boxing ring and was even on the cover of Sports Illustrated. As she clambered into the back, he dialed 911. The remarkable life (and near death) of boxer Christy Martin. Meanwhile, Jim had vanished. They played basketball together in Itmann, grew close. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "It was evil, but it wasn't altogether a lie. Without a doubt. Holewyne labors to inch her wife toward letting go, toward reopening her heart. David Begnaud: Did you ever see circling back with her later in life? DEBORAH BARRA: OK, would you describe your relationship almost like brothers? So, we thought "What is he gonna say?" She has been championed by famed boxing promoter Don King. They talk several times a week, they love each other, but a wall remains, one fortified by avoidance and selective memory and religion, and neither woman has the stomach to tear it down and pick through the rubble. ESPN's Allison Glock joins to talk about Christy Martin's career, her harrowing fight for survival, and how she has moved forward with her life and love, a decade later. And for whatever reason -- you know, I just wasn't strong enough in me to say, "Go ahead ", David Begnaud: I keep thinkin' of the people who will watch this and say, "How does a woman who's so powerful and strong and successful at being aggressive, how is she not able to stand up for herself at home?". Ryan Vescio: Nothing's ever a given in a courtroom. There's no way in hell I'm goin' back in that house. She put butts in seats. Christy Martins current wife is former boxer Lisa Holewyne. I give Laila credit because she could have just lived her life, like, My dads Muhammad Ali! but she put the work in. Martin values nothing as much as putting in the work. Those were our first words to each other.". She pauses, looks around. Details about her wiki, bio, net worth & today. she's still fighting. They smile when you walk into the room, and the cloche you've carefully balanced over your "Truman Show" fantasy world shatters like the razor-thin facade it always was. Shes ready for everyone around her to learn who she has become. Christy Salters-Martin: I can't get it away from him. Forbidden hours stolen like candy. When the driver stopped and lowered the window, Martin tossed the gun into his front seat and begged him, "Please don't let me die." Barra pointed out that when police arrived at the crime scene, Selkirk refused to share Jim's cell phone number. She opened her eyes, swiveled her body to look for her husband's shadow reflected in the bathroom tile. WebChristy Renea Martin ( ne Salters; born June 12, 1968) is an American former professional boxer. Encouraged by the "So -- it's pretty plausible that she might beat the hell out of her husband.". The newlyweds moved to Orlando to build Martin's career. RYAN VESCIO: Is it fair to classify the lung injury or the chest injury as a life-threatening or critical injury? And your answer was "I tried to shoot him, but I was too scared of him, pointed a gun at him and if I missed or something.". A simplified yardstick. In court, Jim's team failed to establish grounds for self-defense, an argument Martin's lawyers had been prepared for, expecting him to use Martin's boxing background against her. WebChristy Martin and Sherry Lusk in Untold: Deal with the Devil (2021) People Sherry Lusk, Christy Martin. Agende sua carga She guest-starred on "Roseanne," appeared frequently on Leno, "Good Morning America," the "Today" show. Webbryce hager wife. I looked at him like this guy's gonna be my coach. "He hated me," Martin says. Ryan Vescio: Oh, it would have been most likely a successful defense. "They didn't know, but that's what I was doing. Rick Cole: And before I could even say hello handin' me something through the window. She thought it was a prank. By the time Martin was in high school, they'd begun a clandestine romance. She was happier to believe what Jim said than to hear the truth from me. And then it just -- it was every day, all day. When she arrived at the facility (her mother and her pet Pomeranian in tow), she was introduced to Jim Martin, the head coach. Christy Salters-Martin: You know I thought about it a lot and how am I gonna react to being in the same room with him? Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. "It's hard for people in West Virginia to find their dreams sometimes.". WebJim Martin's ex-wife & victim Christy Martin begins her testimony. I can't really talk. Martin had been admitted under a different name for her protection. 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