by admin | Dec 18, 1998 | Media
December 18, 1998 – Christy’s next scheduled fight was in Las Vegas against Sumya Anani in November 1998. Anani was then an 11-0 fighter from Kansas City whose only strong opponents had been Stacy Prestage and Andrea DeShong. Martin pulled out of this fight at the last minute, citing an unspecified illness. Behind the scenes it was clear that this was yet another contract dispute. Christy was well enough to throw a tantrum in which she almost assaulted Anani’s manager (after he suggested that she was ducking his fighter.) Sumya Anani vs. Christy Martin on December 18, 1998 Their showdown finally came at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on December 18, 1998. Anani (138¾ lbs) bloodied Martin’s nose in the first round and traded with her on equal terms in the second. Martin went down in the second, but referee Tommy Kimmons ruled it a slip. Anani went after her hard in the third, staggering her and handing out punishment with Martin reeling against the ropes. Martin rallied in the fourth to rock Anani with strong rights to the head. Martin continued strong in the fifth and sixth and tried to outbox Sumya in the seventh but Anani made her own comeback in the eighth and ninth, fearlessly moving forward, landing heavily and backing Martin up. Anani finished strongly and when it was all over a battered and weary Martin sported a bloody nose and a swollen right eye while Anani was almost unmarked. Judge Stu Winston scored the fight 95-95. Jay Kassees and Ric Bays scored it 96-94 for Anani, handing Martin her first loss since November 1989! View Videos... read more
by admin | Nov 15, 1998 | Media
November 15, 1998 – Las Vegas Ringside, Christy Martin pulls Out of Fight with Sumya Anani: Anani’s trainer and Anani at the far end of the stage to get an interview” Becker told me Martin grabbed him by his neck when he commented to her she was afraid to fight Anani. Becker, a white-haired older gentleman appeared shaken by Martin’s aggressive behavior. Read the full article... read more
by admin | Nov 1, 1998 | Media
by Rachel Ellner Ӏ November/December 1998 – BOXING DIGEST: Today’s Top 20 Female Boxers – The lead role in “On the Waterfront” should never feature a female professional boxer. “I coulda had class, I coulda been a contender, I coulda been somebody” just would not sound credible coming from the women featured here. Read the full article... read more
by admin | Oct 22, 1998 | Boxing, Media
Sumya Anani was supposed to originally fight Christy Martin on Showtime on November 13, 1998. Christy Martin pulled out of the fight a few hours prior. There was many rumors circulating as to why. She was seen talking with Don King on the television screen. The announcer on Showtime stated that maybe Christy had ‘yellow fever.’ When Sumya and her trainer Barry Becker went downstairs to see what happened, Barry walked up to Christy and asked her if she was still going to fight Sumya. Christy said, “That’s like calling me a chicken.’ Then she reached up and grabbed Barry’s throat and tried to choke him. Two security guards had to carry her out of the arena. The announcers and other fighters who witnessed Christy’s behavior yelled, “Hey Christy, why don’t you fight in the ring?” Anani/Martin was took place one month later in Fort Lauderdale. Don King had to honor his contract by either paying Sumya or matching her against Christy. On December 18, 1998 they fought on an obscure cable channel so the world didn’t’ get to witness Sumya’s win over Christy. An accident? It’s been reported that maybe Christy got wind of how good Sumya was and didn’t want to be defeated on a prime channel like Showtime. Read the full article here. See the Media page to see the Christy Martin Fight on... read more
by admin | Sep 10, 1998 | Media
September 10, 1998 – Kansas City’s “Baddest of the Bad”: “Sumya ‘the Jamaican Sensation’ Anani, out of Kansas City, is nothing but excitement from the opening bell. Her dedication to the sport goes beyond what is expected. It’s her mental part of the game that makes her a serious threat already in female boxing. ” Danny Campbell – former fighter, promoter, and now managing partner at Title Boxing Club. Read the full article... read more
by admin | Jun 1, 1998 | Media
Summer 1998 – Custom Robes and Cornermen’s Jackets read more
by admin | Oct 9, 1997 | Media
October 9, 1997 – Capital Promotions Presents: Sumya “The Island Girl” Anani – Anani, part American, Caucasion, and Arabic is stunning fight crowds across the nation with her aggressive non-stop style. Her professional record stands at 6-0, 4 KO’s and will make a believer out of fans who don’t really like professional women’s bouts. She currently is the Missouri Lightweight Champion and has been receiving offers to climb in with the World Champions Christy Martin and Lucia Riker. Her promoter, Danny Campbell states “When the Island Girl throws down, look out because something is gonna happen. You will be seeing this young pugilist in the near future on either HBO or Showtime.” Read the full article... read more
by admin | Oct 4, 1997 | Media
by Joe Popper | October 4, 1997 – THE KANSAS CITY STAR: The young man was on his toes dancing, the classic, lethal ballet of the boxing ring. His boots were laced and he danced slowly, warming his muscles, cocking his head from side to side, throwing punches in three-quarter time. Read the full... read more
by admin | Oct 1, 1997 | Media
by David Boyce | October, 1 1997- THE KANSAS CITY STAR: In what was billed as a women’s grudge match, Sumya Anani destroyed Stacy Prestage, scoring a fourth-round knockout. Read the full article... read more
by admin | Sep 1, 1997 | Media
Fall 1997 – Ringside: Custom Boxing Robes read more
by admin | Aug 13, 1996 | Media
by David Boyce | August 13, 1996 – THE KANSAS CITY STAR: Jessica Breitfelder (left) went over the top of a ducking Sumya Anani during their bout Monday night at the Beaumont Club in Westport. Anani, from Shawnee, won a unanimous decision. Read the full article... read more
