30.08 Long-time rivals and wildly-popular womens boxing stars Christy Martin and Mia St. John have agreed to fight each other for the World Boxing Councils (WBC) Pound-for-Pound world championship, Friday, Nov. 8, organizers announced on Thursday. This action-packed event will be available to living rooms across North America live on pay per view at 9 p.m. ET with a suggested retail of $24.95. Fans should contact their local cable or satellite company service provider for times in their area.
A site for the fight will be announced shortly.
Titled Ladies 1st, Martin (44-2-2, 31 KOs) has long maintained her claim to fame as womens boxings First Lady by unloading shocking sledgehammer power from her 5-foot-4-inch frame.
St. John (26-1-1, 13 KOs) is a black belt in tae kwon do who began her pro boxing career in 1997. She immediately challenged Martins supreme reign as the sports stand-alone superstar by registering knockouts with her whirling style in the ring, while grabbing cover girl headlines in a stunning Playboy magazine 1999 pictorial.
Promoted by Revolution Fighting, Inc. out of Ann Arbor, Mich., the pay-per-view event will be distributed and marketed by Spring Communications, and is scheduled for 10 rounds.
Mia has always been long on looks, but short on talent in the ring, sniffed Martin. I am glad we finally get to lace on the gloves and settle the contention of who truly is No. 1 in the world.
Christys biggest mistake will be underestimating me, countered St. John. I am the Mexican in the ring, and I will not let my people down."
Nicknamed The Coal Miners Daughter, Martin got her start in club shows in her native West Virginia. Currently residing in Orlando, Fla. with her husband and trainer, Jim, Martin has earned more lucrative purses than any of her competitors, putting her at the top of the money list in womens boxing. Martin has not fought since November 2001 when she earned a unanimous 10-round nod over WIBF welterweight champion Lis Holewyne in Las Vegas, Nev.
St. John, out of Los Angeles, has become the most publicized womens boxer ever, with countless television appearances and numerous photo shoots and print interviews. The publicity she has received has opened up womens boxing to new fans and mainstream audiences. After St. John knocked out her opponent 54 seconds into the first round of her pro debut, the classy brunette was tagged with the fighter moniker, Knockout, a tribute to her athleticism as well as her good looks. In her last bout on Aug. 10, 2002 in San Jacinto, Calif., St. John stopped Elisa Olivas in the third round.
Spring Communications is an affiliate of the Anschutz Entertainment Group, the $1 billion enterprise whose interests include the Staples Center; Forum & Kodak Theaters; Concerts West; The Los Angeles Kings of the NHL & LA Lakers of the NBA; Five MLS Soccer Teams, and numerous other sports and entertainment properties worldwide.