According to Deadline, Voltage Pictures is ringing the bell for Amy Schumer, who is reportedly circling a gritty boxing drama for the studio. Written by Katherine Fugate (XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS, VALENTINE'S DAY), the true story tale will center on Christy Martin, the world champion boxer who had fought against a male-centric organization to gain success in the professional sports arena and later found herself fighting for her life. As a part of the project, Schumer would be involved in telling Martin's epic story of perseverance and triumph despite the efforts of all that stood in her way.
Christy Martin (now known as Christy Salters), a West Virginia native, steadily rose up through the boxing ranks, eventually making herself known within the boxing community as The Coalminer's Daughter. By 1990, Salters had established herself as someone who was pushing the boundaries of women's involvement in the sport. Then, upon making a life-altering discovery about herself, Salters was beaten within an inch of her life by her trainer, Jim Martin. In time, Christy eventually married Martin.
As the first woman to sign with legendary promoter Don King, Salters began knocking out her opponents one-by one, which quickly made her a Pay-Per-View sensation. She dominated the scene until 2003, when a fighter by the name of Laila Ali became the reigning champion of women's boxing. Meanwhile, back in Orlando, Christy had fallen in love with another woman and decided to kick her abusive husband to the curb – for an honest chance at love with her new partner. This did not sit well with Martin, who in a fit of rage one night, stabbed and shot Christy as she was fleeing for her life from their shared home. After both being transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, Martin was later put in jail for his grievous attack on his wife.
While most people would be sure to steer clear of someone who hurt them so brutally, Christy, since having changed her name back to her maiden name of Salters, soldiered on to face Martin in court – to testify in an effort to see that he remains behind bars. All of this and more is expected to be a part of the upcoming drama project. We'll be sure to bring you more details as CHRISTY MARTIN develops.