Christy Martin discusses UNTOLD: Deal with the Devil

The Netflix docuseries UNTOLD tells the story of boxing sensation Christy Martin in and out of the ring in captivating yet horrific detail. 

Christy Martin was a breakthrough star in the mid-90s and put women’s boxing on the map. She’s a trailblazer in so many ways. She’s known for her tremendous knockout power despite being 5-foot-4, but sharing her story with the world could end up inspiring and impacting people more than her time in the ring.

The Netflix docuseries UNTOLD is a five-part series that brings to light sports stories that might not be well known but are bound to rock audiences while relating a serious message. The episode focusing on Martin’s life, UNTOLD: Deal with the Devil, is out now on Netflix and deals with sexuality, domestic abuse, a struggle for self-identity, gender inequality, and a fight for life against pure evil.

In 2021, women’s boxing is beginning to flourish, but women are still fighting for gender inequality in a sport that men dominate. Stars like Claressa Shields, Amanda Serrano, and Katie Taylor lead the way today, but Martin preceded their efforts when women had virtually no place in boxing.

“It’s definitely growing and growing,” Martin told FanSided about women’s boxing today. “But we need that personality, not just in Women’s boxing, but in boxing, we need the personality. But for women’s boxing, specifically, we need somebody with some charisma. Somebody that a promoter will really lock on to it and push hard, much as Dana White did over in the UFC with Ronda Rousey being the first one.”

Martin was certainly charismatic in and out of the ring. Before fights, she was brash and cocky but backed up her tough talk with hellacious knockouts. Her heart and KO power entertained and generated a following quickly.

“And a lot of that is is your mentality because there’s some people that go in the ring that are strong and have good pop, but their mentality is to lay back and maybe be a counter puncher or not be so aggressive,” said Martin. “And because I was so aggressive, this is really why I got the knockouts.”

UNTOLD: Deal with the Devil displays Christy Martin’s heroics in boxing and the terrible trauma she overcomes in life

Martin achieved much as a boxer. She was a pioneer, world champion, and on the cover of Sports Illustrated. UNTOLD shows Martin’s highs, but it also details her secret pain that the world didn’t see.

Fearing rejection from her family, friends, and society, Martin felt forced to hide her sexuality. She knew early on that she was gay, but growing up in West Virginia, Martin felt like she was prevented from being herself.

Martin hopes that telling her story will inspire others to be comfortable with who they are and to get help if they’re in an abusive relationship as Martin was.

“It’s out there and if it helps people to be more confident to step out about their sexuality to step out, you know, let me get help for this domestic violence situation I’m in or just strength that hey, she was an underdog,” said Martin. “I mean, there’s no way this Coal Miner’s Daughter from Southern West Virginia should be fighting in Madison Square Garden. Fighting on Mike Tyson pay-per-view cards. Promoted by Don King. There’s no way, and if she can do that, and in boxing, I can do that in any chosen field.”

Martin married her trainer Jim Martin. Over time, Jim started to manipulate and control Martin. The pattern of psychological abuse hurt Martin’s spirit over many years, but she got the courage to leave Jim and be true to herself.

Martin confronted Jim about leaving him. He snapped and attempted to kill Martin by stabbing her multiple times and shooting her. She survived and vowed to share her story with others to help them in any way she could.

“I said from the very first words I said at the hospital after living through this crazy event that God left me here to tell my story and to really help other people,” said Martin.

She’s watched her documentary, and hearing Jim talk was painful, but it also presented his evil nature.

“It was hard to see Jim,” Martin described. ” It was hard to hear his voice. It was hard to hear him lie. And for whatever reason, I don’t know why, but I thought, you know, this is the time where you can tell the truth, and he can just come clean and say you know I did it, but that’s not what happens.”

Martin is a fighter and a survivor. Her character is as strong as her punch, and her humanity and empathy are tremendous. She’s been through a lot, some of it good and some of it terrifying, but she’s using her story to help empower others.