The lady is a champ

Dean Juipe

Thursday, June 24, 2004 | 8:49 a.m.

Christy Martin was in her prime when Jessica Rakoczy first walked into a boxing gym in 1998, yet the young Canadian was oblivious to the Coal Miner's Daughter.

"I didn't even know there were women in boxing," Rakoczy said this week at Richard Steele's Boxing Gym, laughing in retrospect at her own naivete as she recounted a story about accompanying a friend to a gym in Hamilton, Ontario.

Martin? On the cover of Sports Illustrated? All but headlining Don King cards?

It didn't mean anything at the time to Rakoczy.

Women's boxing was still in its infancy when Martin reigned, and even today it's something of a toddler. Females now fight regularly on cards across the country, yet very few of them possess the name recognition it takes to earn a decent living.

Rakoczy, who is athletic, attractive, smart and 15-1 in the ring, may be no more recognizable to young girls today than Martin was to her six years earlier.

But that doesn't mean she can't fight.

"I don't get hit," she said in response to a question about protecting her physical assets. "I don't mean to sound conceited, but I don't even expect to get hit.

"I mean, I've been hit before. I spar with guys. But I can take a punch."

Hitting without getting hit and being the one to dish out the punishment is every boxer's dream, and Rakoczy is all but living it. Aside from a disputed split decision loss to Jennifer Alcorn, she has handled every challenge in emerging as one of the finest female fighters in the world.

Rakoczy has been on a hot run of late, having beaten former Playboy model Mia St. John April 5 in Lemoore, Calif., and having defeated Gloria Ramirez May 22 in Fresno, Calif.

She's also fighting Olivia Perrera on July 1 in Fresno and is scheduled for a more significant fight at the same site on Sept. 16.

"I'm blessed," she said of staying busy.

Tall and sturdy, Rakoczy is 27 years old and fights at 132 pounds. She holds the Women's International Boxing Association title at that weight.

"I fell in love with boxing my first day in the gym," the Las Vegas resident said. "I've played every sport there is, but boxing's the best."

Trained by Donald House, Rakoczy didn't mind giving up seven pounds to fight St. John and she's anxious for another "name" opponent to give her a test.

"There are some great girls out there, but it's hard to match them because nobody wants to fight for the money that's being offered," she said. "Only a very few women make any money in boxing."

The implication is obvious: Many a leading female fighter prefers to play it safe, rather than risk a sterling record in a showdown fight that might not be worth her financial while.

But Rakoczy is different. She says she'll take those big fights when they come along.

"It's a grueling, tough sport," she said. "But I'm going to do it for as long as I possibly can and for as long as my body will let me.

"I'm definitely not afraid of fighting anyone."