Forget everything you know about Sydney Sweeney’s glamorous red carpet looks—because for her latest role, she’s traded in designer dresses for gloves, grit, and a whole lot of muscle.
The Euphoria star is stepping into the ring, literally, to portray trailblazing boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic, and her physical transformation has been nothing short of jaw-dropping.
From Size 23 to 27: A Total Body Makeover
In a new interview with Wall Street Journal, the 27-year-old actress opened up about the extreme prep she undertook to bring Martin’s story to life.
Over the course of a few intense months, Sweeney dedicated herself to a brutal fitness regimen that left her feeling “crazy strong”—and looking almost unrecognizable.
“I had about three and a half months of training,” she shared.
“I started eating a lot more, lifting weights in the morning, kickboxing for two hours around midday, and then lifting again in the evening.”
The result? A total of 30 pounds gained, and a body that didn’t fit in her regular clothes anymore.
“I usually wear a size 23 in jeans—suddenly, I was a 27. My boobs got bigger, my butt got huge. It was crazy!”
A Look So Different Even Fans Did a Double Take
While filming last fall, Sweeney was spotted on set looking worlds away from her usual Hollywood persona.
Wearing a brunette curly wig, a blue bandana, and slouchy gym clothes, she fully embodied the boxer’s throwback ‘90s vibe.
Gone was the glam makeup and styled hair—instead, she rocked minimal beauty looks and a serious fighter’s physique.
Her look perfectly captured Christy Martin during her rise to fame in the boxing world—when she made history fighting Deirdre Gogarty in a legendary 1996 match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The Real-Life Fighter Behind the Role
Christy Martin, nicknamed “The Coal Miner’s Daughter,” wasn’t just a boxing champion—she was a pioneer.
She was the first woman to bring widespread attention to women’s boxing, landing magazine covers, TV interviews, and even sitcom appearances.
But while her career soared, her private life was marked by deep trauma.
Martin suffered decades of abuse from her then-husband and trainer, Jim Martin.
In a horrifying 2010 incident, he stabbed and shot her during an argument, leaving her for dead. Miraculously, she survived.
In 2012, Jim Martin was sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempted second-degree murder and manslaughter.
Since then, Christy has rebuilt her life—coming out publicly, marrying fellow former boxer Lisa Holewyne in 2017, and now working as a boxing promoter.
Christy Martin Applauds Sweeney’s Casting and Message
Christy Martin couldn’t be more excited about Sweeney playing her.
Speaking to TMZ, the 56-year-old boxing legend said she’s thrilled by the casting, especially because of Sydney’s background in MMA and her commitment to training.
“I think she’s young, hot, and talented,” Martin said, adding that Sweeney is about to make a movie “fathers will watch with their daughters to raise awareness about domestic violence.”
For Martin, the film is about much more than boxing—it’s about survival, identity, and resilience.
“I want this movie to bring awareness to domestic violence, the challenge of sexuality, and the story of an underdog,” she said.
“I’m just a coal miner’s daughter from West Virginia who made a mark in a sport that no one took seriously.”
What’s Next for Sydney?
The biopic, directed by David Michôd, wrapped filming in late 2024 and is expected to hit screens sometime in 2025.
With Sweeney’s jaw-dropping transformation, Martin’s powerful story, and the promise of a raw, emotionally charged performance, this could be a defining role for the actress.
From the ring to the red carpet, Sydney Sweeney is proving she’s more than just a screen siren—she’s a fighter, too.