Christy Martin’s life story is getting the big screen treatment in the movie Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney.
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. While Martin is known for her success in the ring, she has also suffered from tragic events, including struggling with her sexuality at a young age and enduring abuse.
Christy almost died in 2010 after her ex-husband and former coach, Jim Martin, whom she wed in 1991, attempted to murder her after she tried to leave him. Christy survived the attack and testified against Jim. In 2012, Jim was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Keep scrolling for what to know about Christy ahead of her biopic:
Christy Martin Put Women’s Boxing on the Map
Christy started boxing professionally in 1989. Her breakout match was against Angela Buchanan, where they had a six-round draw. Two years later, she started training with Jim.
In 1993, Christy made history as the first woman to be signed by promoter Don King. King’s connections led to Christy being able to fight 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.
Chrisy’s 1996 win against Deirdre Gogarty skyrocketed her popularity and helped bring attention to women’s boxing. She also went on to face off against Sumya Anani, Laila Ali and more. In 2009, Christy won the WBC Super Welterweight title.
In 2012, Christy retired from boxing after sustaining multiple injuries. In her career, Christy earned 49 wins, with 31 of those being knockouts.
Christy Martin Is in the Hall of Fame
Christy 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.
When the International Boxing Hall of Fame decided to allow women on the ballot in 2019, Christy was included and inducted the following year.
Christy Martin’s Ex-Husband Tried to Kill Her
In 2010, Christy was stabbed several times and shot in her torso by Jim. Jim attacked her after she attempted to leave him following an alleged argument. Christy survived the attack.
“I’m a fighter and that’s what I do,” Christy said in a 2011 interview with ESPN after recovering from her injuries. “That’s all I know how to do, is fight.”
Jim died in November 2024 while serving his sentence at Graceville Correctional Facility in Graceville, Florida.
Christy Martin Is Married to Former Rival Lisa Holewyne
In her career, Christy faced off against Holewyne multiple times The pair had their first match in 2001 and Christy got the win in a unanimous decision after 10 rounds.
“We fought each other in 2001. She’s a world champion. She was inducted into the Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame,” Christy recalled to The Guardian in 2022. “So we met and then we sparred a couple of times, and she was sort of in my circle of people, one of the adjacent friends.”
After news broke about her attack, Holewyne reached out to Christy to check on her. Their friendship eventually turned romantic.
“A few months after everything happened, and the trial with Jim, she started to call and check on me,” she said. “And then she came to one of my fights that I was promoting in Charlotte and we’ve been together since.”
Christy and Holewyne tied the knot in 2017 and their relationship is still going strong.
“I just wanted to make my family happy. It’s never been about making me happy until I married Lisa,” she confessed. “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.’”
Christy Martin Founded a Domestic Violence Nonprofit
Christy runs a nonprofit called Christy’s Champs. The organization offers boxing classes for children and mothers living in domestic violence shelters.