Sydney Sweeney’s portrayal of boxing legend Christy Martin has sparked a dramatic physical and emotional change in the actress. Through months of intense training and gaining 30 pounds, Sweeney fully immersed herself in the demanding world of boxing to bring authenticity to her role in the new biopic.
Enduring the Rigors of Preparing for a Boxing Role
To convincingly depict Martin’s life inside the ring, Sydney Sweeney committed to rigorous boxing training. She immersed herself in the sport’s physicality, mastering techniques that made her fight scenes genuine and gripping. Sweeney reflected on this transformation, saying,
“I feel like I’ve taken a little bit of Christy’s strength,”
and added,
“I feel like I got her fire inside me and some fight inside me. I got a mean left hook. I’m ready to pounce whenever.”
(via People)
Despite the intense preparation, she found joy in the challenge. Sweeney revealed,
The boxing was challenging in its own right, but it was so much fun. “I didn’t want to leave the ring. It was a blast. We were hitting each other. There were bloody noses. I got a concussion. Christy was screaming in the corner about what I should be doing next. She’s like, ‘Hit her with a left!’ I felt like I was in a real fight.
Sydney Sweeney’s Discovery of Christy Martin’s Legacy
Upon reading the script, Sweeney admitted she was shocked not to know Christy Martin’s name or story before taking the part, emphasizing her drive to bring Martin’s inspiring legacy to light. She said,
I was just completely shocked that I didn’t know who Christy was. When I first read the script, I almost felt bad that I hadn’t heard of Christy’s story because I was like, everybody needs to know who she is. She is so inspiring, and her story will resonate and mean so much to so many people. I was like, I need to make sure that I’m a part of making the next generation know who she is and have her as a role model.
Christy Martin’s Support and Collaboration
The real Christy Martin personally trained Sydney Sweeney during the film’s preparation, impressed by Sweeney’s dedication and grounded nature. Encouraged by their connection, Martin chose to entrust Sweeney with telling her story, hoping it will reach a wide audience and inspire others.
This film not only marks a physical transformation for Sydney Sweeney but also serves as a powerful tribute to a pioneering woman in boxing, promising to introduce Christy Martin’s story to new generations and illuminate the intense, challenging world of women’s professional boxing.
