Copyright sportskeeda
Christy is a biographical sports drama film that chronicles the life and career of Christy Martin, the pioneering athlete widely credited with legitimizing women’s boxing in the 1990s.The plot, based on true events, explores not just her triumphs in the ring, including being the first woman signed by promoter Don King, but also the battles she faced outside of it. The movie showcases her struggles with identity and the traumatic, abusive relationship with her trainer and husband, Jim Martin, culminating in his near-fatal attempt to murder her in 2010.Directed by David Michôd, Christy features Sydney Sweeney in the lead role, portraying Martin’s journey from her humble West Virginia roots to becoming a trailblazing champion dubbed “The Coal Miner’s Daughter.”Life of the former American female boxer Christy Martin, who inspired David Michôd's ChristyChrity Martin (born Renea Salters), is from Mullens, a small coal-mining town in West Virginia. Growing up, she was a natural athlete who could outrun and outplay most boys in her neighborhood. That drive earned her a basketball scholarship to Concord College, where she completed her Bachelor in Science.Martin's life changed when she participated in a college dare when her friend challenged her to enter a local “Toughwoman” boxing contest in 1986. That was when Christy had never thrown a punch in a ring. She entered anyway and won thrice. This unexpected victory led to a career defining moment in life in coming years.By 1989, she’d turned professional, stepping into a sport that barely recognized women. It wasn’t long before legendary promoter Don King noticed her skills, and in 1993, he made Christy the first woman he ever signed. She soon began fighting on the undercards of major Mike Tyson pay-per-view events, providing the sport with its first true female boxer.The moment that catapulted women's boxing into the fan radar occurred on March 16, 1996, when Martin faced Deirdre Gogarty on the Tyson-Bruno undercard. Martin won by unanimous decision, but the real victory was the attention the bout garnered. She achieved a huge, unparalleled feat for a female boxer when her bruised yet victorious face was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, which read "The Lady Is a Champ". Throughout her career, Christy Martin secured 49 wins, including 31 knockouts, and claimed the WBC Super Welterweight Title in 2009.However, the athlete faced even tougher battles away from the ring. Behind the fame, she endured years of abuse from her trainer and husband, Jim Martin. When she finally found the courage to leave him in 2010, he attacked her, stabbing and shooting her before leaving her for dead.Somehow, she survived, dragging herself to the road where she was rescued. Jim Martin was later convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. She fought back, not just to live, but to help others. At present, she’s a boxing promoter and an advocate for survivors of domestic violence, using her platform to give strength to those still trapped in silence.Director Michôd shed some light on making the biopic before the film's premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. He stated:"I had never made a movie like this before where I was making a biopic, essentially, about a real person who was there and available for consultation."Martin's biopic is now running on theatres, recalling stories of her rise to fame and her personal struggles which made her the woman she is today.Stay tuned for more updates.
