Sydney Sweeney is preparing to portray a boxing legend.
The actress recently posted behind-the-scenes photos from the set of her upcoming film about Christy Martin, a famed female boxer. In her Instagram post, Sweeney expressed excitement about her role, saying, “Well, the cat’s out of the bag thanks to some paps in bushes, so here’s a little BTS from my film I’m working on right now.” The images show her in casual attire and sporting curly brown hair. She added, “Over the past few months, 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 emphasized her honor in telling Martin’s story, which embodies resilience, strength, and hope, promising more details soon. The film, which is yet to be titled, is directed by David Michôd and will depict Martin’s ascent as one of the most recognized female boxers in 1990s America. It also features actors Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Ethan Embry, and Katy O’Brian. The project is produced and financed by Black Bear, who previously worked with Sweeney on her film Immaculate.
Christy Martin began boxing in 1989 after meeting her future husband and manager, Jim Martin. She continued her career until 2012 and made history as the first female boxer to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
However, Martin’s life was marred by violence and struggle. In 2010, her husband brutally attacked her, stabbing her multiple times and shooting her in the chest, leaving her for dead. Remarkably, she escaped and sought help, leading to her hospitalization. Jim Martin was later convicted for attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
In a CBS News interview, Martin described the various forms of abuse she endured throughout her relationship, including emotional and sexual abuse, as well as struggles with addiction. She revealed that her husband manipulated her vulnerabilities and used them against her. “The whole sexuality part is really difficult because I was so intertwined,” she noted, reflecting on the control he had over her life.