Rising actress Sydney Sweeney is set to jump into the boxing ring for her next role.
Per Andreas Wiseman of Deadline, Sweeney is set to portray legendary boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic. The untitled project is set to be directed by David Michôd and reportedly "will chart the true story of Martin's rise to become America's most well-known female boxer in the 1990s — the 'female Rocky' in the words of the film's producers."
DiscussingFilm @DiscussingFilmSydney Sweeney will star as boxer Christy Martin in a biopic directed by David Michod.<br><br>"I grappled & did kickboxing from 12-19 years old. I've been itching to get back into the ring, train & transform my body"<br><br>(Source: Deadline) <a href="">
The role will be very new territory for Sweeney, who is known for her roles in the HBO series Euphoria and White Lotus. She also recently starred in the romantic comedy Anyone But You, the horror Immaculate and the superhero flick Madame Web.
"I grappled and did kickboxing from 12-19 years old. I've been itching to get back into the ring, train, and transform my body," Sweeney said. "Christy's story isn't a light one, it's physically and emotionally demanding, there's a lot of weight to carry. But I love challenging myself."
Martin competed from 1989 to 2012 and had a record of 49-7-3 with 31 knockouts. She is a former WBC super welterweight champion and she was the first female boxer to be inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016. She also received an induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020, which was the first year women were included on the ballot.
"Christy Martin not only legitimized female boxing, she overcame gender stereotypes, and fought through emotional, physical, and financial abuse," Sweeney said. "I'm passionate about the fighting world, Christy's story shines a light on her incredible rise to the top while showing the struggles of fame behind the curtains. I feel compelled to tell a story about a woman who faced so much adversity and didn't allow it to defeat her. It's powerful, and emotional."
Filming for the biopic is set to begin this fall.
