Sydney Sweeney is making headlines with her remarkable transformation for the upcoming biopic centered on pioneering female boxer Christy Martin. Slated for release later this year, the film showcases Martin’s significant contributions to women's boxing, especially in the 1990s when she became a celebrated figure in the sport, even landing a cover on Sports Illustrated and fighting on Mike Tyson's undercard.
In a recent interview with W Magazine, director David Michôd revealed the extensive preparation that Sweeney undertook for the role. The Emmy-nominated star of Euphoria gained over 30 pounds to authentically portray the athlete, who was a trailblazer in the world of female boxing. “I loved it,” Sweeney expressed about the rigorous training regimen she adopted, which lasted approximately three and a half months.
Her training routine was intense and multifaceted. Sweeney began each day with an hour of weight training, followed by a two-hour kickboxing session in the afternoon, and concluded with another hour of weight training in the evening. This dedication transformed her physique significantly, with Sweeney noting, “My body was completely different. I didn’t fit in any of my clothes. I’m usually a size 23 in jeans, and I was wearing a size 27. My boobs got bigger. And my butt got huge. It was crazy! I was like, ‘Oh my god.’ But it was amazing: I was so strong, like crazy strong.”
During the film's production last year, Sweeney shared her journey on social media, posting the first images of herself as Christy Martin. She expressed her excitement about immersing herself in the training to portray “an incredible woman—a true champion who fought battles both inside and outside the ring.” Sweeney highlighted Martin's story as a testament to resilience, strength, and hope, stating, “I’m honored to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all. More to come soon.”
The untitled biopic, co-written by Michôd and Mirrah Foulkes, delves into Martin’s life, exploring her rise to fame while also addressing the personal challenges she faced, including the abuse from her then-husband, who attempted to murder her. “Our film is a wild mix of inspiring underdog sports-world story and personal saga,” Michôd described the project. He praised Sweeney's work ethic, noting, “Sydney trained her butt off to play the part. The beauty of Sydney is that she turned up to work every day with her tail wagging, ready to go. No matter how tough it was, she was like a ray of sunshine.”
This past weekend, Sweeney and Martin were seen together at the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s annual Parade of Champions in Canastota, NY, where the actress served as the grand marshal of the event. This appearance further solidifies Sweeney's commitment to authentically representing Christy Martin in the forthcoming biopic, making it a highly anticipated film in the realm of sports and cinematic storytelling.
