Sydney Sweeney Transforms Into Boxer Christy Martin in New Biopic

LOS ANGELES, CA — Sydney Sweeney underwent a striking transformation to portray trailblazing boxer Christy Martin in the new biopic directed by David Michôd. The film chronicles Martin’s journey as she rose to fame in the 1990s, helping to establish women’s boxing in the United States.

In preparation for the role, Sweeney, 28, faced intense training and physical challenges, including gaining weight to match Martin’s fighting category of 135 to 137 pounds. “I had concussions, there were some bloody noses,” she stated. “The lady who played Laila Ali is how I got my concussion,” referring to the actual fighter who defeated Martin by knockout in 2003.

Despite the physical toll, Sweeney embraced the experience, recalling how exhilarating it felt to step into the ring. “In between takes, I’d be like: ‘I think I won that round!’” she remarked. Michôd, who described the fighting scenes as primarily a collaboration between Sweeney and the stunt team, admitted he had little involvement in the choreographed battles.

The film explores not only Martin’s boxing career but also her complex relationship with Jim, her husband and manager, who abused her during their marriage. Michôd highlighted the film’s essential role in showcasing the dynamics of coercive control within relationships. “I was that kind of run-of-the-mill numpty who couldn’t understand why she didn’t leave him,” he said.

Initially skeptical of Hollywood, Martin, who now goes by Christy Salters, gradually placed her trust in Michôd and co-writer Mirrah Foulkes. “I think she had the same suspicions of Hollywood,” Michôd mentioned as they began searching for a suitable actress to play Martin.

Sweeney’s profile as a rising star, with over 25 million Instagram followers, made her a prime candidate. Michôd described feeling Sweeney’s passion during their initial conversation. “You can just tell. I was on a Zoom with her and I could tell that she wanted this really, really bad,” he noted.

Christy, which features co-stars Ben Foster and Merritt Wever, also serves as a commentary on domestic violence. In her discussions about the film, Sweeney expressed a strong desire for it to raise awareness about these issues. “If Christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded,” she stated.

While the film’s box office performance has been underwhelming, Sweeney remains proud of the project. “We don’t always just make art for numbers, we make it for impact,” she shared on social media. “And Christy has been the most impactful project of my life.”

As the film premiered at the London Film Festival, Sweeney balanced the expectations of her mission to portray Martin’s story authentically while also addressing the criticisms that have followed her career. “I’m always just me. But it’s what other people put on me that’s uncontrollable,” she said, reflecting on her experiences in the public eye.