Sydney Sweeney‘s upcoming film, Christy, narrates the life story of boxing icon Christy Martin, highlighting her resilience both in and out of the ring. The Sydney Sweeney Christy Biopic delves into Martin’s decades-long career, her survival of domestic violence, and her role as an advocate for others who have faced similar struggles.
The Journey of Christy Martin in Professional Boxing
Christy Martin began her professional boxing career at the age of 21, debuting in 1989 against Angela Buchanan. Their first match ended in a draw, but Martin secured a decisive victory in their rematch via a second-round knockout. Over the course of her career, she accumulated 49 wins before retiring in 2011. Martin’s trailblazing achievements in the sport led to her induction into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014. She continued to break barriers by becoming the first woman included in the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016, and later, the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020.
Martin’s competitive mindset was clear in interviews where she emphasized her aim to compete on equal footing.
“When people left, I wanted them to say, ‘Wow, that was a good fight!’ Not ‘That was a good woman’s fight,’”
she told ESPN.
“I didn’t want to be a good woman fighter. I wanted to be the best.”
Overcoming Domestic Abuse and a Near-Fatal Attack
Christy Martin’s life outside the boxing ring faced grave challenges. She married Jim Martin, her boxing coach, in 1991 when she was 22 and he was 47. What began as a professional relationship soon turned abusive. According to Florida state attorney Deborah Barra, Jim maintained strict control over many aspects of Christy’s life and subjected her to emotional and physical abuse.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Martin disclosed,
“For 20 years, Jim told me he was going to kill me if I ever left him.”
She initially doubted his threats but came to understand their seriousness over time. During this period, Martin developed a cocaine addiction, which she claims was facilitated by her husband.
In 2010, after Martin sought divorce, Jim Martin attempted to murder her in their home by stabbing and shooting her before abandoning her in their bedroom. Miraculously, Christy survived this brutal attack. From her hospital bed, she shared her purpose:
“I said from the hospital bed, as soon as I woke up, that God left me here for a reason: to share my story and talk about domestic violence with people, to talk about the drugs, the sex,”
she explained to Austin Monthly.
“Because you know what? There are so many people out there that are suffering, and they don’t know how to get help.”
Jim Martin was convicted of attempted second-degree murder in 2012 and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He passed away in November 2024 while incarcerated at Graceville Correctional Facility.
Embracing Love and Identity with Former Rival Lisa Holewyne
After her divorce, Christy Martin publicly embraced her LGBTQ+ identity, a journey that had been suppressed for much of her life. In 2017, she married Lisa Holewyne, a former boxing competitor and rival. Their union symbolized a new chapter for Martin, who had spent years hiding her sexuality, first as a West Virginia child and later during her abusive marriage.
Martin shared a personal message marking their relationship milestone on Instagram, writing,
“23 years ago today I met my wife lol. Bet no one else can say their spouse punched them on their first date.”
She concluded her tribute with heartfelt affection: “I love you, Lisa Holewyne.”
Documenting Her Life Through Memoir and Film
Christy Martin’s extraordinary story extends beyond the ring and screen. Before the biopic, her life was the subject of a 2021 Netflix documentary titled Untold: Deal with the Devil, which is the second episode of the Untold series that also featured notable sports figures like Tim Tebow and Caitlyn Jenner.
Following the documentary, Martin authored a memoir titled Fighting for Survival: My Journey through Boxing Fame, Abuse, Murder, and Resurrection. Reflecting on her motivation for writing, she told CBS News,
“Hopefully, by sharing my story, I can get someone else a little inspiration, a little, a little confidence, a little boost that, hey? If Christy can do it, so can I.”
The Impact Christy Martin Had on Sydney Sweeney
On the cusp of the film’s release, Sydney Sweeney expressed how portraying Martin deeply affected her. She described the experience as
“one of the most emotional, transformative experiences of my life”
and called Martin’s journey “so deeply inspiring.” Sweeney revealed that having Martin involved throughout the filming made the process surreal and meaningful.
Addressing the domestic abuse theme in the film, Sweeney told Variety,
“It’s a very personal issue that’s important to me, and I hope that through Christy and her story, it can raise more awareness,”
concluding, “It’s personal.”
