Thursday, July 21, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Injury wipes out 'Million Dollar Lady' boxing card

Rijker suffers ruptured tendon, frustrating eager opponent Martin

By JEREMY POND
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Lucia Rijker, working with trainer George Sylva in Los Angeles earlier this month, has suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon, forcing the cancellation of her July 30 fight with Christy Martin. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boxing won't have its first "Million Dollar Lady" after all. At least not in the near future.

The July 30 fight between Lucia Rijker and Christy Martin at Mandalay Bay, in which the winner would have received $1 million, was canceled Wednesday after Rijker sustained a ruptured left Achilles' tendon during training.

Rijker, a 37-year-old native of Amsterdam, Netherlands, suffered the injury Tuesday night at the Top Rank Gym. She underwent an MRI exam on Wednesday, and the Showtime pay-per-view card was canceled later in the day.

Dr. Tony Daly, one of the nation's leading sports orthopedic surgeons, will repair the tendon today in Los Angeles. Rijker, 17-0 with 14 knockouts, is expected to be sidelined at least four months.

"This just comes as a real shock," said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, whose company put together the event, which would have guaranteed the winner the richest prize ever in women's boxing. "I'm sorry for the ladies. They both worked really hard."

A disgruntled Martin can attest to that. The 37-year-old said she was in possibly the best shape of her life.

"Miguel (Diaz, her cutman) called and said, `I have bad news for you,' " said Martin, 46-3-2 with 32 knockouts. "I thought he was going to say it's 150 degrees in Las Vegas. But he said the fight was off. ... I couldn't believe it.

"It felt like the worst body shot I have ever taken in my life times 10."

Martin is one of the world's most recognized woman boxers. And with her window of opportunity to fight at such a high level dwindling, this was a chance for her to solidify her legacy.

But for now, it will have to wait.

"It was supposed to be a big day for Christy Martin," she said. "Let's face it. This wasn't about women's boxing. This was about Martin and Rijker and who's the best.

"I have fought everybody. Who has she fought? I still can't believe it. It's a bad dream."

Martin said she thought Rijker bailing on the fight was a possibility but wouldn't allow herself to think that way during training. She also wondered about the validity of the injury.

"Maybe she's going to have surgery," Martin said. "I don't know how fast they can do a heart transplant, but maybe they can get a heart in there. Then we can get the fight on."

Rijker did not return a phone call seeking comment.

The bout, which would have guaranteed each boxer $250,000 and the winner another $750,000, was created as the real-life version of the Academy Award-winning movie "Million Dollar Baby" starring Hilary Swank and Clint Eastwood. Rijker also appeared in the film, as dirty-fighting boxer Billie the Blue Bear.

According to Top Rank publicist Lee Samuels, interest in the fight had started to grow since the Bernard Hopkins-Jermain Taylor title fight at the MGM Grand Garden on Saturday.

"Ironically, the whole public relations kick was kicking in," Samuels said. "Over the last week, there was a spike in ticket sales. We knew it would kick in after the Hopkins-Taylor fight."

Arum said he was uncertain whether the fight would be rescheduled.

Martin said she would seek another fight.

"I'm in great shape," said Martin, who will appear on NBC's "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" tonight. "Whatever promoter is out there and wants a good, action-packed fight, I'm available and ready. I will not just sit here and wait for Lucia."