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 Here