Sydney Sweeney is going to knock fans over with a feather in her early look as pioneering boxer Christy Martin.
In the Toronto International Film Festival’s world premiere announcement of “Christy” on Monday, the “Euphoria” actor is seen in the ring in full ferociousness as Martin.
The former WBC super-welterweight women’s champ earned fame by fighting on the undercard of popular pay-per-view bouts involving Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield while becoming the first female boxer to land on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Sweeney’s transformation into the International Boxing Hall of Famer, who survived a shooting and stabbing attack by her then-husband, is remarkable. She told W last month that she weight-trained twice a day, ate like a champ and kickboxed for hours daily to prepare for the role.
More than 30 pounds later, she had the power to hit home on the screen.
“My body was completely different,” she told W. “I didn’t fit in any of my clothes. I’m usually a size 23 in jeans, and I was wearing a size 27. My boobs got bigger. And my butt got huge. It was crazy! I was like, Oh my god. But it was amazing: I was so strong, like crazy strong.”
Last October on Instagram Sweeney offered a glimpse of her bicep-bulging progress.
“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,” Sweeney wrote. “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.”