Sydney Sweeney Set to Portray Boxing Icon Surviving Murder Attempt by Husband in Biopic

Hollywood's rising star, Sydney Sweeney, is stepping into the shoes of boxing icon Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic that delves into the chilling account of Martin's survival after a vicious attack by her husband.

Christy Martin, a former WBC super welterweight champion, made history as the first female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. Known as 'The Coal Miner's Daughter', Martin enjoyed a stellar career with 35 undefeated fights before grappling with drug addiction and enduring domestic violence.

At 56, Martin now shares her life with former boxing rival Lisa Holewyne, a distinguished member of the women's boxing hall of fame. This union follows Martin's divorce from her ex-husband, Jim Martin, who infamously tried to end her life. The traumatic event, which unfolded 14 years ago, will be a central focus in the upcoming film featuring Sweeney, aged 27.

In a horrifying incident on November 23, 2010, Martin was stabbed multiple times and shot in the torso during a confrontation at their Apopka, Florida residence by her then 66-year-old spouse. Left for dead with severe injuries, including a bullet perilously close to her heart, Martin was rescued by a passerby who rushed her to the hospital after she managed to crawl outside.

Her assailant fled and evaded authorities for a week until he ultimately harmed himself and was apprehended by law enforcement. Following medical treatment, he faced charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. In April 2012, he was convicted of attempted second-degree murder and handed a 25-year prison sentence.

Martin, a trailblazer for women in boxing, will have her remarkable life story immortalized on screen with Sweeney taking on the lead role. Sweeney gained prominence through her role in the HBO series Euphoria and her recent appearance in the superhero movie Madame Web.

In an interview with The Sun, Martin shared insights about the film, emphasizing that it transcends boxing, focusing on themes of domestic violence, sexuality, and sexual abuse. She reflected, "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."

Recounting her tumultuous personal life, Martin disclosed how her ex-husband, James Martin, exerted control over her every action, leading her into a spiral of cocaine use. She revealed, "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 added, "I’m lucky I didn’t die. I looked in the mirror one night and thought, you look like an addict."

While the movie's title remains undisclosed, it is currently in production, with Sweeney undergoing a striking transformation for her role, as witnessed during filming in North Carolina.