ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla -- A Winter Springs beautician has sued boxer Christy Martin for allegedly punching and choking her during an argument in a parking lot. Martin, one of the most prominent names in women's prize fighting, has denied the allegations.

Martin (45-3-2, 31 KOs), a former Sports Illustrated cover girl, has been one of the most recognizable figures in women's boxing. Last month, she was knocked out by Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammed Ali, in a fight for the International Boxing Association super middleweight title in Biloxi, Miss. (Photo Below)

Linda Rappa, 38, is seeking unspecified damages for the Jan. 1 fracas outside Sears at Altamonte Mall, according to the lawsuit filed in state Circuit Court in Sanford.

Martin, 35, declined to discuss the details of the incident, but gave a terse response last week: "Two words. Shake down."

The lawsuit was filed three weeks ago. Rappa said she pursued the case "because she's a professional boxer. Being a professional boxer, she should have more self-control than the regular Joe."

Martin was about to climb into her sport utility vehicle when Rappa and her husband, Paul Sabacinski, pulled into the next parking space, Rappa said. Her husband was driving.

According to a police report, Martin complained to her husband, who was nearby, that the van had nearly hit her vehicle. From there, the women's two accounts differ.

Rappa said she argued with Martin and then the boxer grabbed her as she started to walk away.

"She actually grabbed my neck from behind and started choking me," Rappa said. "Then she started punching me in the face. ... I don't remember much but thinking to myself, 'Oh, my God. I'm going to die.' Then I remember screaming for my husband to help me."

Rappa said Martin punched her two to four times in the face. Personal photos show Rappa with a blackened right eye, a bruise on her right cheekbone and scratches and red spots on her neck. Rappa said her husband pulled Martin away by her hair and then the boxer went after him.

Martin's version appears in a police report. She told officers that Rappa shoved her and that Sabacinski punched her several times. Martin told police she "became physical" only in an attempt to defend herself.

No arrests were made. Officer Roxanna Maupin wrote that it appeared all four adults were involved in "mutual combat" and that no one was seriously hurt. None required medical treatment at the scene.

Rappa said she wanted Martin arrested, but officers told her that if they did that, they also would arrest Rappa and her husband. The couple had their 1-year-old daughter with them at the time.

Rappa's attorney, Joseph H. Shaughnessy, said his client suffered headaches, jaw pain, blurred vision and lost a cap to a tooth because of the incident.

Martin referred questions to her attorney, Hugo DeBeaubien. He said only that Martin was the victim.