Sydney Sweeney Undergoes Dramatic Physical Transformation for Christy Martin Biopic
Sydney Sweeney has taken on one of her most physically demanding roles yet, gaining nearly 30 pounds to portray legendary boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic. The transformation, both physical and emotional, reflects the intense commitment the actress brought to the role of the trailblazing athlete.
“My body changed completely,” Sweeney told W Magazine in a recent cover interview. “I didn’t fit into any of my clothes. I usually wear a size 23 in jeans, and I was in a 27. My boobs got bigger. My butt got huge. It was crazy! I kept thinking, ‘Oh my god.’ But it was amazing — I felt incredibly strong.”
Despite the changes, the 27-year-old Euphoria and Anyone But You star said she embraced the process with no regrets. “I loved it,” she said.
To prepare, Sweeney spent over three months immersed in an intense training schedule. “I came on to play Christy and had about three and a half months of training,” she explained. “I started eating more and worked out constantly — weight training in the morning for an hour, kickboxing for two hours midday, then another hour of weight training at night.”
‘She Trained Her Butt Off’
Director David Michôd, who co-wrote the film with Mirrah Foulkes, praised Sweeney’s work ethic and commitment, revealing she put on over 30 pounds for the role.
“Sydney trained her butt off to play the part,” he said. “The beauty of Sydney is that she showed up every day ready to work, no matter how tough it was. She was like a ray of sunshine on set.”
Sweeney’s physical transformation was first noticed as filming wrapped, when she shared behind-the-scenes photos of herself as Martin. In the shots, she appeared more muscular, wearing a brunette wig, brown contacts, and sporting Martin’s signature mullet-style haircut.
On Instagram, Sweeney wrote: “Over the past few months, I’ve been immersed in training to bring to life the story of an incredible woman — a true champion who fought battles both inside and outside the ring. Her journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and hope, and I’m honored to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all. More to come soon.”
Her physical transformation also made headlines earlier this year when Sweeney hit back at body-shaming comments after paparazzi photos of her in a bikini circulated online.
A Story Bigger Than the Ring
The biopic, currently untitled, tells the story of Christy Martin, the first major star in women’s boxing in the U.S. and a pioneer who helped legitimize the sport in the 1990s. The film chronicles not only her athletic rise but also the domestic abuse she endured from her then-husband, who later attempted to kill her.
“Our film is a wild mix of an inspiring underdog sports story and a deeply personal saga,” said Michôd.
Production company Black Bear Pictures described the film as “the unbelievable true story of formidable Christy Martin, who rose to fame as America’s most successful female boxer in the 1990s.”
When filming wrapped in November, Sweeney posted an emotional message reflecting on the experience: “This has been one of the most emotional, transformative experiences of my life. This story is so much bigger than just a film. It’s about resilience, survival, and the will to keep fighting. I can’t wait for you all to see it — not just because I’m proud of the work I’ve put in, but because Christy’s story deserves to be told.”
Though an official release date hasn’t been announced, promotion is beginning to ramp up. Sweeney and Michôd were recently seen at the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Parade of Champions in Canastota, New York, where Sweeney served as the grand marshal.
Who Is Christy Martin?
Christy Martin is a boxing icon and one of the sport’s most groundbreaking figures. Raised in West Virginia as the daughter of a coal miner, she broke barriers as the first woman signed by famed promoter Don King and became the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Her professional career spanned from 1989 through the mid-2010s, with one of her most notable achievements being the 2009 WBC female super welterweight title. In 2020, she was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Martin’s life outside the ring was marked by personal trauma. In 2010, her husband of 19 years, James Martin, brutally attacked her — stabbing and shooting her in a near-fatal assault. He was later convicted of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
In 2017, Christy Martin found happiness again, marrying Lisa Holewyne, a former boxing rival.
“Christy battled personal demons, toxic relationships, and even survived an attempt on her life,” said Black Bear Pictures. “She showed the world that a fighter’s greatest victories aren’t always won in the ring.”
