Who is Christy Martin? From marrying rival to why they're making Sydney Sweeney movie

A trailer for one of Sydney Sweeney's latest film was released just a few days ago and it has already got plenty of fans talking.

It sees the Euphoria and The Housemaid actress in a very different role. She will take on the part of Christy Martin in a movie based on the famous athlete's life.

According to the film's synopsis: "Christy Martin (Sweeney) never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia until she discovered a knack for punching people. Fuelled by grit, raw determination, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim (Ben Foster).

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"But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it. Confronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death. Based on remarkable true events, Christy Martin’s story is one of resilience, courage, and the fight to reclaim one’s life."

But who is Christy Martin? What happened with her husband? And what has she said about the movie about her life? Here's all you need to know.

Who is Christy Martin?

Christy Martin is a legendary boxer who paved the way for women in the sport. She earned the nickname “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” due to her father’s occupation. Competing from 1989 to 2012, she held the WBC female super welterweight title in 2009.

She started her professional boxing career at the age of 21 with a six-round draw with Angela Buchanan in 1989.

In 1993, Christy made history as the first woman to be signed by promoter Don King. This led her to fighting on undercards of some of the biggest stars in men’s boxing, including Julio César Chávez vs. Frankie Randall and Mike Tyson vs. Frank Bruno.

Christy retired in 2012, after suffering multiple injuries. Her record stands at 49 wins, with 31 knockouts. She now works as a boxing analyst and motivational speaker as well as running her own boxing promotion company.

She was inducted into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014. Two years later, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. She was also included in the International Boxing Hall of Fame once it began to allow women on the ballot in 2019.

Who was Christy Martin's husband?

Christy married her trainer James 'Jim' Martin back in 1991. She was 22 years old at the time while he was 47. Christy has referred to the marriage as one of convenience and that he was emotionally and physically abusive throughout their relationship.

In early 2010, Christy told her husband she wanted a divorce. In November that year Jim stabbed Christy several times and shot her at least once, leaving her for dead.

She survived the attack and Jim was convicted of attempted second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison but died behind bars in 2024.

Is Christy Martin married?

The former boxer has since remarried to her former boxing rival Lisa Holewyne. The pair faced each other on multiple occasions. After finding out about the attack on Christy, Lisa reconnected and checked in on her. Their friendship eventually developed into a relationship.

Christy once told The Guardian: "A few months after everything happened, and the trial with Jim, she (Lisa) started to call and check on me. And then she came to one of my fights that I was promoting in Charlotte and we’ve been together since.”

They married in 2017. Christy has however spoken about struggles she has faced with her sexuality, explaining: "I just wanted to make my family happy. It’s never been about making me happy until I married Lisa. I called my mother and I told her that we were getting married and she said, ‘No, you’re not,’ like I was 12 years old. I said, ‘I lived 20 years making you happy. I’m going to live the next 20 years making me happy.’”

Why are they making a movie with Sydney Sweeney?

Christy remains active on social media and shared a short video thanking fans for their support following the release of the movie's trailer. She also gave a passionate reason for why it was made.

She told her followers: "Good morning and thanks everybody for all of the love and support that we're getting from everywhere regarding the movie. The trailer was just released this week and it seems like it just getting more and more stronger and more and more momentum.

"Sydney Sweeney and Ben Foster, they did a great job. Everybody on the movie put their heart into it. I think this is going to be something that lasts for a long time and we're sharing my story.

"As I like to tell people not for sympathy but for inspiration for others. I don't need your sympathy, I don't want your sympathy. I want you to gain strength from me sharing my story. Have a great day...I'm going to see you everywhere because we want to share this movie with you."

Christy will be in cinemas from November 28.