What if I told you that the life of every sports icon isn't as smooth sailing as all of us have in our minds. Directed by Laura Brownson, the second episode of Netflix’s UNTOLD docuseries, titled Deal with the Devil, is a story of the boxing legend Christy Martin, who rose from the ashes despite the struggles in her personal life to achieve fame and honour.
With the Tokyo Olympics recently concluded, all our country’s Olympians have returned home after achieving heights in their respective sports. For the next few days, all the news coverage will be flooded with their interviews, press conferences, and documentaries praising the work-life regime that enabled them to achieve such marvellous feats in the sports world.
But like all other celebrities, fans are interested in the personal lives of the national heroes. Where do they live? What do they wear? Eat? Who are the Fiances or spouses? In the sports industry, how much struggle a female has to go through we all might have heard thousands of times, but as a female what they struggle in real life too, this story will give you a gist into her world.
I have added this one in my list of Netflix docuseries that I will be watching on upcoming weekends, others in the list are “UNTOLD: Malice at the Palace“- which is based on the fight between Pacers–Pistons. “Val“- which is a documentary on the famous actor Val Kilmer.
The Summary of Deal with the Devil
The docuseries is inspired by the real-life struggle of Christy Martin, who went through emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her husband, Jim Martin.
The Rise
Martin tells us that “She grew up as a coal miner's daughter.” She was raised in a small town by the name of Mullens in West Virginia. From her childhood, Martin had a liking for sports playing multiple sports. She even got herself elected as a catcher in the male’s baseball team. But with all these talents, she was a fighter at her heart, and her prowess was immediately recognized by many trainers, as she punched harder than many men.
After levelling up her game through some small fights, she managed to impress one of boxing’s biggest promoters, Don King, and scored a face-off at the MGM Grand. She was a born superstar as She put out a stellar performance and earned her place on every magazine cover, late-night TV guest appearances, and the magnitude of fame and fortune she could never have dreamt of.
Personal Troubles
However, Success did expose her to a lot of troubles. She was exposed to a lot of trolling and public defaming by the women who felt threatened by her talent and power. Her personal and private lives were opposites. She married her longtime trainer Jim Martin.
The media was quick to up their ratings by branding the newlyweds as the boxing duo. But Behind all this Fake public dwelling hid the grim reality of her marriage. She faced constant physical and mental abuse from her homophobic husband.
She battled her hidden sexuality as a lesbian. She desperately wanted a divorce from him, kept reminding him of not only her sexual identity but also that she was nothing more than his personal money minting machine.
Imprisonment
Jim’s jealousy, injustice and violence grew to a huge level before it ended by completely shattering the West Virginian superstar. He not only stabbed her but left her to die with a gunshot wound too. These events happened on November 23, 2010. Jim was apprehended and had been serving a 25-year sentence in prison for his violent deeds.
This incident was heavily covered by the media exposing Martin’s long-hidden personal life. She now was free from oppression, free to live her truth.
Message Deal with the Devil carries
Martin Confessed that the Boxing ring was the only place where she felt safe throughout her life. The reasons, as explained, were that FIRSTLY there were rules and no foul play. Life is too hard for women in large parts of the world. Even in the modern age, with human rights and women rights being forerunners on every political campaign.
This world gets even tougher, in fact, cruel for the transgenders, facing constant judgement from not only the society but sometimes their loved ones too. The prejudices, misconceptions and notions that people carry make it difficult for them to breathe.
SECOND, all the abuse filled her with so much anger and rage that it could only be emptied in a boxing arena.
LASTLY, it was her means for survival as she couldn't have been murdered in a ring, only BEATEN DEFEATED and KNOCKED DOWN but never KILLED.
The audiences, through this docuseries, will appreciate the tenacity of this beautiful, strong and courageous fighter who took a stand for herself. She endured all the pain, defeated it and now lives happily.
She will be an inspiration for women and various other non-binary genders for generations to come. Even though She doesn’t hold the same esteem as Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, or Manny Pacquiao, she left a huge mark not only on the boxing world but also in the world of human rights.
When Was it Released?
17 August 2021, the movie is set to stream on Netflix with a running time of 1hr 17min.
Wrapping Up
I am sure you are overwhelmed with this docuseries; if you haven't watched it, then you should definitely open your Netflix and watch it because this one is not only for entertainment but gives you a glimpse of the personal life of Christy Martin.
For more such beautiful series and movies you can search our website, and I am sure you will love them.
