LAS VEGAS, NV — MAY 13, 2005 — In what is being hailed as the most significant and lucrative milestone in the history of women’s combat sports, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has officially announced “Million Dollar Lady”. This historic, high-stakes super-fight features sports pioneer Christy “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Martin and undefeated phenom Lucia “The Dutch Destroyer” Rijker.
To officially launch the countdown to this summer blockbuster, Arum, Martin, and Rijker will host a major, open-to-the-media press conference this coming Monday, May 16, 2005, at the Coral Reef Lounge inside the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The event is scheduled to begin promptly at 11:30 A.M. PT.
The highly anticipated bout will take place on July 30, 2005, at Mandalay Bay, and will be distributed live to a global audience by Showtime Pay-Per-View.
A Record-Breaking Seven-Figure Purse
“Million Dollar Lady” marks the very first time female professional boxers will compete for a million-dollar prize structure. Under the promotional terms brokered by Top Rank, both Martin and Rijker are guaranteed a base purse of $250,000.
In an unprecedented, winner-take-all twist that guarantees maximum competitive intensity, the victorious fighter will claim a massive $750,000 winner’s bonus. This structural design ensures that the winner leaves Las Vegas with a historic $1,000,000 payday, shattering all existing financial records for women’s boxing.
The Matchup: Legend vs. The Most Dangerous Woman in the World
This fight represents a long-brewing collision between the two most dominant and influential figures in the sport:
Christy Martin (46-3-2, 32 KOs): Widely recognized as the trailblazer who legitimized women’s boxing in the mainstream media during the 1990s. Fighting out of Mullens, West Virginia, Martin gained global fame on the undercards of Mike Tyson, becoming the first female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. Armed with immense power and a legendary iron chin, Martin views this fight as the ultimate validation of her legacy.
Lucia Rijker (17-0, 14 KOs): Hailing from Amsterdam, Netherlands, Rijker is an undefeated striking prodigy who went 36-0 as a world-champion kickboxer before transitioning to professional boxing. Dubbed “The Most Dangerous Woman in the World” by media circles, Rijker possesses elite technical boxing mastery alongside a devastating 82% knockout ratio. Rijker also recently achieved Hollywood stardom by playing the villainous boxer “Billie the Blue Bear” in Clint Eastwood’s Academy Award-winning film Million Dollar Baby.
The Ultimate Angle
The timing of the bout leans heavily into pop culture crossover appeal. Top Rank’s Bob Arum strategically aligned the live pay-per-view spectacular to take place just days after the official home video and DVD release of Million Dollar Baby. This maximizes mainstream sports and entertainment marketing synergies.
Given the deep-seated rivalry, financial stakes, and contrasting styles of both athletes, Monday’s press conference is expected to be an electric media event.
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