Boxer: Sex discrimination behind halted fight

LOS ANGELES - The California State Athletic Commission has upheld ring officials' decision to stop boxer Christy Martin's June 4 bout with Dakota Stone after Martin suffered a broken right hand.

The panel voted 5-0 Monday in Los Angeles despite claims by Martin's attorney that it amounted to sex discrimination because of a misguided notion of a greater need to protect female fighters.

Martin says she didn't expect to win her appeal but had hoped the fight would be ruled no-contest. Stone got the victory when the ring doctor ordered the fight stopped and the referee waved his hands with 51 seconds left in the final round.

Martin was winning on all three scorecards at Staples Center at the time.

Attorney Gloria Allred claims a fight between male fighters wouldn't have been stopped.

The bout was Martin's return to the ring six months after being stabbed and shot, allegedly by her husband.