Karen Martin, born March 3, 1970, was
born in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Martin is a boxer by night, but a fourth
grade teacher by day. Martin graduated with a B.A. (Honors) majoring in B.
Ed.
Martin married Andrew Martin on August 8, 1997, and they have no
children at this time.
Before entering the world of boxing, Martin was involved in Track and
Field, Flag Football, Field Hockey, Dance, Bodybuilding, Soccer, and
Softball.
Some of her previous Accomplishments thus far have been: Track and
Field Provincial and National Championships (chosen MVP); Female Athlete
of the Year; Provincial Field Hockey Championship (chosen MVP Highest
goals scored); Radio personality /singer (Abeena Joy) for Wreckshop Radio
in Buffalo, New York; she qualified for the 1996 Olympic trials in Track;
Field Competed on The American Gladiators television show; and was a 2000
Golden Gloves Champion.
Martin said, "I have always enjoyed sports and have been active in
some sport almost my whole life. I was more of a tomboy. I played all of
these sports with my brothers, and looked up to my sisters as female role
models. I was usually the only girl playing in whatever sport was chosen,
but I didn't care, because the boys played hard and they made me better.
My twin, Dwight, and I would take on any challenge, anytime, from
anyone--and win! "
Martin also said that, "Eventually, boxing came into the picture -
by the Lord's will. By that I mean it wasn't really something I set out to
do, it just happened. A simple kick-boxing class at a local gym made me
realize how exciting and ambitious this sport really was."
Martin said that Keith Basil, the gym trainer told her that she had
some skills, and advised me that I should take it more seriously. Martin
said, "My husband agreed. Meeting my trainer, Lilly Rodriquez, would
seem more of a fluke than divine plan. Nonetheless, when I met her and
found out that she loved the Lord, and she was willing to train me, I knew
I was on to something."
Martin said, "Growing up watching boxing, Kung-Fu movies and
playing video games, I really thought that I had the gist of the whole
boxing thing. I was soon to find out otherwise. Benny, 'The Jet', Lilly's
brother, was kind and always was available to give a few pointers at the
Jet's Gym where I trained. It took daily hard work and sacrifice and a lot
of training to get to the point where I am now - and I have so much more
to learn. Working as a full-time teacher, participating in church
business/activities and training /competing in boxing proved to be very
difficult, but possible."
