(Note: This Biofile was completed in 1996.)
Status: Former world boxing champion.
Ht: 5-4 Wt: 135
DOB: June 12, 1968 In: Bluefield, West Virginia
Childhood Heroes: “Magic Johnson, Larry Bird.”
Hobbies/Interests: “Shopping, cooking, see movies.”
Childhood Dream: “Oh goodness, that’s funny. I’m sure boxing was probably the farthest thing from my mind. I think I always wanted to be successful. In high school and my first year of college I wanted to be a physical therapist.”
Favorite Boxers To Watch: “Mike Tyson, of course. Frankie Randall. Terry Norris – offensively, he can do anything, hand speed, foot speed, reflexes, great coordination, power, he has it all. Joe Frazier. Muhammad Ali.”
Favorite Movies: “Dudley Moore in Arthur – I crack up every time. Rocky.”
Favorite TV Shows: “Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley.”
Musical Tastes: “All music, country, Hank Williams Sr.”
Early Boxing Memory: “I was 19 the first time I entered a Toughman (1987). I remember thinking to myself I must be crazy to go in unpreprepared with no training. I got into it on a dare. Won the tournament (three bouts) and $1,000. And I got hooked on to boxing, the way the crowd was going so crazy when we were fighting. Wow, this is great! I remember my first fight was very close. She was really quick, a little smaller than me. I won the first round, she won the second. In the third, I felt I had to do something. Can’t lose. I sucked it up. Had enough energy and won.”
First Job: “Cutting grass for my grandparents during the summer in Itmann, WV.”
First Car: “1980 gray Cutlass Supreme.”
Pre-Fight Feeling: “I’m nervous. I feel a lot of pressure to do something spectacular. I feel like Don King has his reputation on the line, and all the people associated with Don King. I don’t want to let anyone down who has taken a chance with me. Don King has given me an opportunity. I’m sure he’s been nervous with me. I don’t want to let him down in any way. By the time I get into the dressing room I know what our strategy is going to be so I’m comfortable and relaxed. (Look at opponent after entering ring?) No, I feel like if there’s a little doubt in my eye or my condition could be better, I don’t want them to see that. So I don’t look at them.”
Favorite Meal: “Fettuccine afredo with chicken, shrimp.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”
Nicknames: “Sis, Coalminer’s Daughter – Jimmy Lennon Jr. tagged me with that. Tuffy.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Definitely signing a promotional contract with Don King. October 1993. At the office in Florida. I was overwhelmed by being there, sitting across the table from Don King. You have to keep in mind, I come from a very small town with 200-300 people. Here I am sitting across the table from Don King. It was unbelievable.”
Most Painful Moment: “When I lost in 1989 to Andrea DeShong. I got hit so hard in the first round I didn’t remember the rest of the fight.”
Interesting Fact: “I cry before every fight. I can’t believe I’m telling it. Hope it doesn’t jinx me. Again, I think it’s the pressure. I’m not scared of my opponent, I’m scared of losing. The fear of losing just kills me.”
Worst Injury: “Had broken ribs, a broken nose once. That’s really it.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “The person I most admire is my grandfather John Salters. He worked so hard. He really is a coalminer. He put into me such a hard work ethic. He taught me, Christy, if you’re gonna do something, you have to be the best. He’ll give anyone the shirt off his back. He doesn’t care. That’s just the way he is. Doesn’t care for himself. Puts everyone ahead of his needs and wants.”
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