Hollywood sensation Sydney Sweeney is set to star in an upcoming biopic about boxing legend Christy Martin who narrowly survived after being shot and stabbed by her husband.
Martin, a former WBC super welterweight champion, fought on a Mike Tyson undercard and became the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Nicknamed 'The Coal Miner's Daughter', she enjoyed a hugely successful career with 35 undefeated bouts before eventually losing her way due to a battle with drug addiction and horrifying domestic violence.
Now, 56, she is married to former boxing rival Lisa Holewyne - a women's boxing hall of famer in her own right - after Martin divorced her unhinged husband Jim Martin, who once attempted to kill her. And the terrifying incident 14 years ago will no doubt play a major part in the film starring Sweeney, 27.
On November 23, 2010, after an argument in their Apopka, Florida home, Martin was knifed several times and shot at least once in her torso by her then 66-year-old partner, who left her for dead. After suffering multiple stab wounds and with a bullet lodged inches from her heart, the boxer was saved from her evil other half by a passing stranger who took her to the hospital after she dragged herself outside.
Her attacker went on the run for seven days until he stabbed himself and was arrested by police. After being treated for his injuries, he was charged with attempted first degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. In April 2012, he was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Martin, who was a true pioneer for women in the sport, will now have her life documented with Sweeney cast in the lead role. The actress rose to fame in the HBO drama series Euphoria and recently starred in the superhero film Madame Web.
Martin spoke about the film in an interview with The Sun, saying: "It is not a boxing movie. This is the underdog story. It’s about domestic violence, sexuality and sexual abuse. I’m a coal miner’s daughter from a small town and no one expected I would make it. And at the same time, I had all these other things happening in my life."
On her troubled personal life, she revealed how James Martin used to 'control every move' she made and that it drove her to use cocaine. She said: "My husband was supplying me with coke and I was snorting it.
"Before I even got out of bed in the morning, he would bring a line to me. If I complained I was tired after the gym, he would crush up a line before I had the chance to take my gloves off," she explained. “I’m lucky I didn’t die. I looked in the mirror one night and thought, you look like an addict."
The name of the movie hasn't been announced but it is currently in production with Sweeney unrecognisable when spotted filming on location in North Carolina.
English (US) ·