Sydney Sweeney was almost unrecognizable on the set in Gastonia, North Carolina, on Tuesday, as she transformed into legendary boxer Christy Martin for an upcoming biopic.
The Everyone But You star, 27, who recently foiled a robbery attempt while filming, completely shed her glamorous image for a gritty, athletic look straight out of the 1990s.
Trading in her usual red carpet look for a loose-fitting tracksuit, Sweeney donned a brunette wig, a pink tank top and dark shorts, capturing Martin’s spirit from his early days in boxing.
She added pink sneakers and carried a backpack, embodying the fighter who, years later, survived a brutal attack by her husband in an attempt on her life.
The look at the production comes after Sweeney, who played combat sports as a teenager, shared that the film had provided him with the perfect opportunity to rekindle his passion for the ring.
Sydney Sweeney was almost unrecognizable on the set in Gastonia, North Carolina, on Tuesday, as she transformed into legendary boxer Christy Martin for an upcoming biopic.
Christy Martin is seen in March 1996, after defeating Deirdre Gogarty of Ireland during their fight for the WBC lightweight boxing championship.
‘I called and practiced kickboxing between the ages of 12 and 19. “I really wanted to get back in the ring, train and transform my body,” Sweeney said. Deadline recently.
‘Christy’s story is not easy; It’s physically and emotionally demanding… But I love challenging myself.
‘I feel compelled to tell the story of a woman who faced so much adversity and did not allow it to defeat her. It is powerful and emotional.”
The film, directed by David Michod, follows Martin’s rise to prominence in the 1990s as America’s top female boxer.
Sweeney signed on to play Christy Martin in May, with Michod (Animal Kingdom) directing from a script she co-wrote with Mirrah Foulkes.
The cast includes Ben Foster, who plays Martin’s husband James, along with Merritt Weaver, Ethan Embry and Katy O’Brien.
Nicknamed ‘The Coal Miner’s Daughter’ in honor of her father’s roots, Martin, now 56, is a West Virginia native and is widely credited with putting women’s boxing in the spotlight.
Her iconic 1996 showdown against Deirdre Gogarty at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas captivated a packed stadium, cementing her place in boxing history.
The Everyone But You star, 27, who recently foiled a robbery attempt while filming, completely shed her glamorous image for a gritty, athletic look straight out of the 1990s.
Trading in her usual red carpet look for a loose-fitting tracksuit, Sweeney donned a brunette wig, a pink tank top and dark shorts, capturing Martin’s spirit from his early days in boxing.
The look at the production comes after Sweeney, who played combat sports as a teenager, shared that the film has given him the perfect opportunity to rekindle his passion for the ring.
‘I called and practiced kickboxing between the ages of 12 and 19. “I really wanted to get back in the ring, train and transform my body,” Sweeney told Deadline recently.
Martin’s success led to appearances on the cover of Sports Illustrated, guest appearances on major talk shows, and even cameos on American sitcoms.
However, away from the spotlight, his life was far from the picture of success.
For 20 years, she endured abuse from her husband and coach, James ‘Jim’ Martin.
In a chilling assault on November 23, 2010, Jim stabbed Christy multiple times and shot her once in the torso, leaving her for dead after a heated argument at their home. Surprisingly, Christy survived.
In June 2012, Jim was sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempted second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.
The cast includes Ben Foster, who plays Martin’s husband James, along with Merritt Weaver, Ethan Embry and Katy O’Brien.
‘I feel compelled to tell the story of a woman who faced so much adversity and did not allow it to defeat her. “It’s powerful and emotional,” Sydney said of playing Martin; (pictured in March)
Today, Christy found new purpose as a boxing promoter and married her former ring rival, Lisa Holewyne, in 2017.
Her career as a boxer and survivor has transformed her into an enduring symbol of resilience.
She went on to become the first woman inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (2016) and the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2020), concluding her career with a record of 49-7-3.
Currently in production, the film’s release date has yet to be announced.