The real-life boxing legend behind Christy has stepped in to defend Sydney Sweeney after Ruby Rose publicly attacked the actress over the film’s box office failure.
Christy Martin Speaks Out
Following days of controversy surrounding Christy’s underwhelming $1.3 million debut and Rose’s harsh comments, Christy Martin took to Instagram to back Sweeney — calling her both a “friend” and an “ally”:
“I’ve always been a fighter. My life reflected that in every way and now I fight for others,” Martin wrote. “The past few days I have seen some people attack my friend Sydney Sweeney. Syd not only worked her ass off for this film, she worked her ass off for me. For my story. For so many others suffering in silence. So I want to be clear about who Syd is. She is my friend and ally!”
Martin’s statement comes as a clear show of support for Sweeney, who both starred in and produced Christy, a biopic based on Martin’s life and experiences as a trailblazing female boxer who survived domestic abuse.
Standing Up for Sweeney
Sweeney has faced mounting criticism since Christy’s release, including Ruby Rose’s accusation that she “ruined the film” and her recent political backlash over her reported support for Donald Trump.
Martin’s message offers a rare moment of solidarity, highlighting that Sweeney’s work on Christy went beyond acting — framing it as a personal mission to tell Martin’s story authentically and to raise awareness for women facing abuse.
Background
The David Michôd-directed film premiered at TIFF before opening in theaters earlier this month. Despite its low box office numbers, Sweeney said she was “so deeply proud” of the movie, writing that it “stands for survival, courage, and hope.”
Christy Martin’s post reinforces that message, pushing back against the negativity surrounding the film and reaffirming that Sweeney’s intentions were rooted in advocacy, not politics.
