Dakota Stone’s Victory Over Martin

What’s next for Team Stone?

Female puncher Christy Martin (49-6-3, 31 KOs) was hoping to claim her 50th pro victory last weekend as she squared off against Dakota Stone (10-8-5, 2 KOs) in their six-round special attraction on the undercard of the Sebastian Zbik vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. title fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles promoted by Top Rank and Zanfer Promotions.

Fighting in two-minute rounds, the fans cheered in appreciation as the two women went toe to toe in this rematch between the pair. For many of the fans in attendance, this may have been their first time watching a duo of ladies slugging away at each other.

Boxing icon Martin was the overwhelming favorite going into the bout, especially after coming back from the shocking stabbing and shooting by the hands of her husband, Jim. The famed “Coal Miner’s Daughter” from West Virginia wanted to add number 50 to her win ledger while Dakota “Solid” Stone from Seattle was hoping to make her own mark while in the limelight–and ultimately spoiling Martin’s “Welcome Back” party. This time and for the second time, Dakota experienced “Déjà Vu” all over again as Christy suffered an unfortunate hand injury.

In their first fight in September 2009 for the WBC Female Light Middleweight belt, Stone was defeated by Martin with majority decision scores of 95-95, 98-92 and 99-91. Since this time, the Washington pugilist has been waiting and anticipating a second chance at the champ, this time at 149.

Wanting to make the most of the six rounds, the taller Stone wasn’t planning on being the underdog for long. While Christy, sporting pink trunks and blonde braids, had the audience roaring as she dug in with body shots and showing why she became one of the most famous female fighters around. But Dakota, with her close-cropped hair and black trunks, took all of Martin’s fury, and retaliated with some bombs of her own. With the fans engrossed in this entertaining scrap, the two ladies held their time in the spotlight.

In the fourth round, Martin connected with a hard right, knocking the challenger down. But once back on her feet, Stone was unfazed, going back to work in her goal of snatching away Christy’s historic 50th victory. Martin’s face showed an expression of fury, flashing a look of fierce determination, and no doubt pain after we later learned about the fractured hand. And after the bell rang, the ringside physician was seen checking in with Martin’s trainer Miguel Diaz (wearing in a pink cap in support of his fighter) and his charge, who had apparently suffered the hand injury during this fourth frame. But as a tough and determined world champion, Christy showed her heart and guts while heading into rounds five and six. Landing her power shots and left hooks, the champ was ahead on all official scorecards with just two minutes to go.

As the back-and-forth battle raged on, Martin used her left in trying to keep her foe at bay. The hard-working Stone had no intention of stopping her own assault with big right hands of her own. As the clock was winding down, Christy winced, forced to turn away from her opponent as the break in her hand proved to be too much.

Referee David Mendoza stepped in to stop the bout as the legendary champ pleaded with the California official that she desperately wanted to continue. But with her right hand a cause for concern, Mendoza halted the fight at 1:06 in the sixth with Stone declared the victor by TKO, thus thwarting Martin’s historic 50th win.

For Christy, one can never count her out and it wouldn’t surprise many when and if she steps back in the ring to claim her 50th victory. She is a true champion and one brave warrior that will continue to fight back.

For Dakota, Team Stone plans to continue rockin’ in the ring, staying busy and continuing to build on the win. With her corner that included trainer Mathis Hill, Larry Bradley, and Butch Gottlieb last Saturday night, the Seattle sharpshooter is ready for the next showdown, and as she says hopefully the next one will be without all the “drama.”

I caught up with “Solid” Stone a couple of days after her TKO victory. Dakota, who made her pro debut in 1999 against former boxer and current trainer Ann Wolfe, has also taken on the likes of Layla McCarter, Olivia Gerula, Natascha Ragosina, Jisselle Salandy, among others.

While her name may not be bandied about as much as Christy Martin’s, Dakota’s camp hopes the lady boxer will keep geting key matchups. Listen in as Stone shares her thoughts with me about her ring rival’s injury (in this second encounter it was also the second time this has happened ), what’s next for the team and what got her really excited after the win!

“Did you realize Christy’s hand was broken in earlier rounds?” is the first question I have for Dakota.

“Well, her hand wasn’t broken until later in the fight…around the fourth or so. I knew it when it happened because I saw her face–it was the same reaction she had the last time,” Stone answers. “I looked at her and said ‘Oh no…You’re not gettin’ away with that this time!’ In the last fight she broke her hand and then ran from me the rest of the fight. So this time I went after her, because she did start running, and I cut off the ring on her. She stuck her tongue out at me but I caught her on the ropes and got in some good shots before the bell rang.”

“What are your thoughts on your fight with her?”

“I’m really glad the fight with her is over. There is just too much drama in her life and I got sucked into it,” Stone replies, keeping it real. “I am looking forward to fights that are about boxing. My team is looking for fights for me now. I don’t intend to take any time off; I am ready to go again!”

“Keep me posted on your next fight,” I tell her. “And congrats on your win.”

“Thanks, Michele!” she says.

Then Stone adds with enthusiasm, “Oh, and as of yesterday, I am ranked #1 in the U.S. and #2 in the world!”

With Dakota Stone on top of the world, look for more of the female warrior soon.

Photos by Mary Ann Owen