Sydney Sweeney is stepping into the ring.
Sweeney is starring as professional boxer Christy Martin in the new film CHRISTY. Martin, who's nicknamed "The Coal Miner's Daughter," rose to fame in the 1980s and was the first female boxer to earn a cover on Sports Illustrated.
“I absolutely loved it,” Sweeney said per Deadline. “I truly felt Christy’s power as I transformed. And I really enjoyed being able to train and work with incredible boxing coaches and weight trainers, and nutritionists that helped me get to the place that I was for Christy.”
The film also stars Merritt Wever, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, Chad Coleman, Bryan Hibbard, Tony Cavalero, and Gilbert Cruz.
“I’m just glad that Christy’s story is out there,” Sweeney said.
Christy Martin's abusive relationship with her ex-husband and former trainer-manager
Many of the boxer's battles took place outside the ring, as the West Virginia native's relationship with her trainer-manager, Jim Martin, she described as a "business deal." She was 22 when they met, and he was 47. The two got married in 1991, but he was emotionally and physically abusive in their relationship since he knew that, in reality, Christy was gay and threatened to expose her.
Christy Martin's near-death experience by her ex-husband
She was attacked by him in 2010 after asking for a divorce, shortly after connecting with her high school girlfriend. Christy was stabbed multiple times, shot, and left for dead, but survived the attack. She testified against him for an attempted second-degree murder charge, for which he was found guilty in 2012. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison but later died in 2024 while serving his sentence in a Florida correctional facility.
Christy has since remarried to her former boxing rival, Lisa Holewyne. The two tied the knot in 2017.
CHRISTY is not the first film on the boxing legend's life. In 2021, Netflix released Untold: Deal with the Devil, which chronicles the former boxer's relationship with Jim.
CHRISTY hits theaters on November 7. Take a look at the trailer below:
MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS
Brooks Nader dating tennis pro Carlos Alcaraz following Jannik Sinner romance rumors
Did Nina Dobrev and Shaun White break up? What to know about actress and athlete's split rumors
Jayson Tatum shares his top 5 favorite rappers including Jay-Z, Drake, and more
Wrestler Jeff Jarrett shares Taylor Swift performed private concert for dying wife
Jordan Chiles shares who she told about 'Dancing With the Stars' casting before announcement