BECKLEY — On Friday, Nov. 7, hundreds of guests shuffled through the lobby of Marquee Cinemas at the Beckley Galleria before waiting in line for their chance to meet and take photographs with three-time boxing hall-of-fame inductee Christy Martin.
Martin, the titular character of the recently released biopic “Christy,” was born, raised and began boxing in West Virginia before becoming an internationally recognized pioneer of women’s boxing.
The new film from director David Michod is written by Mirrah Foulkes, who based the screenplay on Martin’s true-life story, and stars Sydney Sweeney portraying Martin.
Marquee Cinemas staff arranged a one-night-only meet-and-greet with Martin for attendees of the 7:15 p.m. movie premiere, which drew hundreds of movie and sport fans as well as family and friends.
According to Martin, her story remained authentic throughout the film’s production as the director, writer and actor all worked closely alongside her.
“I spent hours and hours on the phone with Mirrah Foulkes, the screenwriter,” Martin said. “There’s nothing in this movie that didn’t happen.”
Martin said she wanted the feature film to avoid cliched tropes and tired narratives.
“I asked, ‘“Please don’t “Hollywood-ize” my life,’” Martin said. “They told me, ‘Christy, there’s enough crazy stuff that’s happened in your life that we don’t have to!’”
Martin also praised Sweeney’s performance. “You got sexy Sydney Sweeney and how is she going to get down and dirty and be Christy Martin?” Martin said. “But she sure did. It’s gonna be a great portrayal!”
The film’s narrative positions Martin’s career within a pivotal era for women’s boxing when televised fights and high-profile matchups pulled the sport from novelty to legitimacy.
Friends who knew her before the cameras said the crowd’s size made sense.
“She’s a rock star,” childhood friend Renee Van Dolan said. “She’s a legend here.”
Van Dolan remembers long bus rides to the school gyms growing up in Wyoming County with Martin. “My uncle coached her in basketball, and she was tenacious the whole time growing up,” Van Dolan said. “Everybody knew she was going to be a legend, going to do great things with her life.”
Tom Van Dolan — who met Martin after the magazine covers — called her “very down to earth and very amiable” and the same person he expected to find offstage as on.
The premiere framed Martin’s public work alongside the biography. She called the film’s intended takeaway “inspiration,” describing herself as a coal miner’s daughter and “the ultimate underdog” who found a way to give back. Martin paired that with a plea for tolerance and acceptance “of people’s choices, whether it be their sexuality or religion.”
Martin’s homecoming, the film’s release and the fans’ reception all pointed to a life that outgrew the ring without leaving it behind.
“I got up and back on my feet to try and help other people,” Martin said.
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