What Happens in Untold: Deal with the Devil?
The complete story of Untold: Deal with the Devil, from the first scene to the last, in 275 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Untold: Deal with the Devil is a gripping documentary that chronicles the tumultuous professional and private life of Christy Martin. Growing up in Mullens, West Virginia, she displayed an innate athletic talent, eventually entering a boxing gym where her punching power surpassed many of the men. In 1989, she began training under Jim Martin; despite a twenty-five-year age gap, the two eventually married.
Her career reached a turning point when she was signed by promoter Don King, leading to a high-profile appearance on the undercard of a 1996 Mike Tyson fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. While the public saw a successful husband-and-wife boxing duo, the documentary reveals a darker reality behind the scenes. Jim Martin was emotionally abusive, isolated her from others, and referred to her as his “personal ATM.”
The film exposes a disturbing pattern of control, detailing how Martin installed surveillance cameras in their home to monitor her. He allegedly provided her with illicit drugs to foster addiction, using them as leverage to demand sexual acts. The abuse escalated to physical violence, often disguised as “training accidents,” culminating in a horrific night in Apopka, Florida. Martin attempted to murder her by shooting her with her own firearm, leaving her for dead while he took a shower.
After surviving the attack and escaping for medical help, the documentary follows the legal proceedings and Martin’s subsequent conviction. It further explores Christy Martin’s resilient journey to return to the ring despite suffering a stroke and having a bullet still lodged in her body. Today, she focuses on her nonprofit, Christy’s Champs, advocates against domestic violence, and is married to fellow former boxer Lisa Holewyne.
Untold: Deal with the Devil Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
20 key events in the order they happen, from “Growing up in Mullens, West Virginia” to “Marriage to Lisa Holewyne”. 5 events name a place, across 3 locations.
- 1
Growing up in Mullens, West Virginia
Christy Salters was raised in Mullens, West Virginia, where she threw herself into athletics from a young age. She competed in numerous sports as a youth, building the competitive drive and physicality that would later define her boxing career. Her athletic versatility set the stage for her eventual entry into the ring.
Where:Mullens, West Virginia
- 2
First steps into boxing
When Christy walked into a boxing gym, she immediately made an impression on the trainers present. She hit harder than a number of the men training there, a striking feat for a newcomer. This raw power signaled that she had genuine potential as a fighter and opened the door to a serious boxing career.
Where:Mullens, West Virginia
- 3
Teaming up with Jim Martin
In 1989, Christy Salters began working with Jim Martin, who took on the role of her boxing trainer. The partnership would go on to shape both her professional career and her personal life in profound ways. At the time, it seemed like the beginning of a promising professional relationship.
When:1989
- 4
Marrying her trainer
A few years after they began working together, Christy and Jim Martin were married. Martin was about twenty-five years older than her, a significant age gap that shaped the dynamic between them. The marriage fused their professional trainer-boxer relationship with a personal bond that would later turn deeply troubled.
When:Early 1990s
- 5
Grinding through small bouts
Salters built her experience by competing in a series of small bouts early in her career. These fights allowed her to develop her skills and establish a record away from the major spotlight. Her performances in these smaller events eventually attracted the attention of bigger promoters.
- 6
Signing with Don King
Christy Salters was picked up by Don King, one of the most powerful promoters in boxing. His involvement gave her access to a level of exposure that small bouts could never provide. This was the turning point that would transform her from a regional fighter into a national name.
- 7
The MGM Grand breakthrough
In 1996, Salters fought on the undercard of a Mike Tyson match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Fighting on such a high-profile card put her in front of a massive audience. The appearance catapulted her into fame and established her as a recognizable figure in the sport.
When:1996 Where:MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
- 8
Fame as a husband-and-wife team
Don King helped promote Jim Martin and Christy Salters as a husband-and-wife boxing team. This narrative made them marketable and gave their story an appealing public image. However, the documentary reveals how different the reality behind the spotlight actually was.
- 9
The abusive dynamic behind the spotlight
Behind their polished public image, Martin was emotionally abusive toward Salters. He called her his "personal ATM" and manipulated her into believing that, because she was a lesbian, no other manager would take her on. He also limited her interactions with other people, tightening his psychological control over her life.
- 10
Surveillance inside the home
Martin set up cameras throughout their home to record everything Salters did. This constant surveillance stripped her of any privacy and gave him knowledge over every aspect of her daily life. It also meant her most vulnerable moments were captured and could be used against her.
Show the other 10 events of Untold: Deal with the Devil Hide the last 10 events
- 11
Addiction and exploitation
The home recordings even captured Salters' use of illicit drugs, which Martin himself provided to her. Once she became addicted, he demanded sexual acts in exchange for supplying them. This cycle of dependency and coercion became one of the darkest dimensions of the abuse detailed in the film.
- 12
Violence disguised as training accidents
Martin's physical abuse of Salters frequently passed as something else to the outside world. The injuries he inflicted were often explained away as training accidents, allowing the violence to continue without scrutiny. This pattern of covering up assaults made it difficult for anyone around her to recognize the danger she was in.
- 13
The attempted murder
The documentary goes into detail about the night Martin attempted to murder Salters at their home in Apopka, Florida. He shot her with her own gun, leaving her with severe wounds. Believing she was dead, he walked away to shower, a chilling moment that showed how far his violence had escalated.
Where:Apopka, Florida
- 14
Escape against the odds
Despite her gunshot wounds, Salters managed to escape the house and find help. She was able to obtain medical treatment, surviving an attack that Martin believed had killed her. Her escape became the pivotal moment that ultimately ended his control over her life.
Where:Apopka, Florida
- 15
Martin's trial and conviction
Martin faced trial for the attempt on his wife's life. The proceedings examined the shooting and the years of abuse that Salters had endured. He was ultimately convicted, finally providing a measure of legal accountability for his crimes.
- 16
Boxing comeback with a bullet lodged inside her
Even after the shooting, Salters attempted to re-enter the boxing arena. Remarkably, a bullet remained lodged inside her body, yet she returned to compete anyway. Her comeback stands as a testament to her extraordinary resilience and determination as a fighter.
- 17
Fighting back after a stroke
Salters later suffered a stroke, adding another serious health obstacle to her journey. Even this did not stop her from continuing to fight and rebuild her life. Her perseverance through both the bullet wound and the stroke became a defining part of her story.
- 18
Founding Christy's Champs
Salters founded a nonprofit organization called Christy's Champs to give back and support others. Through the organization, she channels her experiences into helping those in need. The nonprofit represents her transformation from survivor into someone actively working to change lives.
- 19
Becoming a voice against domestic violence
Salters dedicated herself to spreading awareness about domestic violence through public speaking engagements. By sharing her own story openly, she turns her painful past into a message that can help others recognize and escape abuse. Her advocacy work has become one of the most impactful parts of her life after boxing.
- 20
Marriage to Lisa Holewyne
Christy Salters eventually married Lisa Holewyne, who is also a former boxer. The relationship represents a peaceful new chapter in her personal life, built on shared experience and mutual understanding. After years of abuse and control, this marriage marks a powerful contrast with her past.
Quiz
How well do you remember Untold: Deal with the Devil? Test yourself on the story.
