Christy Martin Defends Sydney Sweeney After Biopic Criticism

Christy Martin, the trailblazing female boxer whose life inspired the new biopic Christy, has publicly defended actress Sydney Sweeney against recent online criticism following the film's disappointing box office debut. The drama, directed by David Michôd and released in U.S. theaters on November 7, portrays Martin's rise as a prominent fighter in the 1990s and her survival of severe domestic abuse at the hands of her then-husband and coach, James Martin, who attempted to murder her in 2010.

The movie opened in 2,011 theaters but earned just $1.3 million over its first weekend, marking one of the weakest wide-release debuts for a new film this year. With a reported production budget of around $15 million, the performance fell short of expectations, especially given early Oscar buzz surrounding Sweeney's portrayal. The film holds a 65 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Sweeney's physical transformation—she gained over 30 pounds of muscle to embody the role—while noting the story's heavy themes of abuse and resilience might limit broader appeal.

Tensions escalated this week when actress Ruby Rose, known for roles in Orange Is the New Black and...