Who is Christy Martin? The Boxing legend behind Sydney Sweeney’s Christy movie
Sydney Sweeney as Christy Martin in ‘Christy.’ Image Credit: Black Bear
Christy Renea Martin, born Christy Salters on June 12, 1968, in Mullens, West Virginia, grew up in a coal-mining family. Known as “The Coal Miner’s Daughter,” she first stepped into the ring through a Toughwoman contest in 1987, which she won without formal training. That victory launched a professional career that would change women’s boxing forever.
Across more than two decades, Martin compiled a record of 49 wins, 7 losses, and 3 draws, including over 30 knockouts. She became a world champion in 2009, the first female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated (1996), and in 2020, one of the first women inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Her relentless style and visibility helped bring women’s boxing to mainstream audiences, paving the way for future stars.
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Triumph and Trauma Outside the Ring
Christy’s personal life, however, was filled with turmoil. In 2010, she survived an attempted murder by her then-husband and trainer, Jim Martin, who stabbed and shot her before leaving her for dead. She not only survived but testified against him, Jim Martin was later sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Afterward, Christy found strength in recovery and rebuilding her life. She later came out publicly, married fellow boxer Lisa Holewyne in 2017, and became an advocate for survivors of domestic abuse.
Sydney Sweeney Brings Christy’s Story to the Screen
Christy Martin’s extraordinary journey is now the subject of a new biopic titled Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney in the lead role and directed by David Michôd. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 5, 2025, and will release widely in theaters on November 7, 2025.
Sweeney underwent a dramatic physical and emotional transformation for the role, gaining weight, training rigorously in boxing, and even performing real in-ring action sequences without heavy reliance on stunt doubles. The trailer teases not only Christy’s rise to fame but also the darker chapters of her life, her abusive marriage, the attempt on her life, and her resilience afterward.
Critics at TIFF have praised the movie’s raw authenticity, with Sweeney’s performance already generating awards buzz.
Why Christy Martin’s Story Still Matters
Christy Martin remains a trailblazer in sports and culture. She proved that women could headline major boxing events, fought against stereotypes, and embodied resilience through unimaginable adversity.
With Christy, her legacy reaches new audiences, both as an athlete who broke barriers and as a survivor whose story resonates far beyond the boxing ring.