‘I Try To Lose Myself Completely’: What It Was Like For Sydney Sweeney Working On The Christy Martin Biopic And Having The Boxer On Set

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Sydney Sweeney is taking on the role of boxer Christy Martin in a new biopic, promising a different side of the actress as she physically portrays the athlete. A unique aspect of the film, set to release in 2025, was having Martin herself present during filming. Sweeney has shared how she focused on fully immersing herself in the role while working alongside the real-life boxer.

Sydney Sweeney received the Achievement in Acting award at this year’s Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) for her role in the film *Christy*. After a screening, she told People magazine how impactful it was to have the real boxer, Christy Martin, present on set while she was playing her.

She quickly became my closest friend. It was incredibly meaningful to have her involved in the process. It’s a unique experience to be watched by the person you’re playing – you never quite know what they’re thinking. But as we worked together, I really valued having her there. I could learn from her reactions, listen to her insights, and get her perspective whenever I needed it.

It’s like having a personal guide on set! Sydney Sweeney, who starred in Anyone But You, has played real people before, like Reality Winner in an HBO movie and Dianne Lake in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. But this time was different because the real person was there to help her understand the role and give feedback. I’d want the same thing – to make sure their story was told correctly.

After filming for *Christy* finished, Sydney Sweeney publicly thanked boxing legend Martin on Instagram for her support throughout the project. Having the real Martin involved helped ensure her inspiring story was told truthfully and with the respect it deserved.

To play the American boxer who was once the WBC female super welterweight champion, actress Sweeney underwent a significant physical transformation. She spent three and a half months weight training and learning kickboxing, and gained over thirty-five pounds. Sweeney told the HIFF that she embraced this intense preparation as a crucial part of becoming the real-life person she was portraying.

When I’m acting, I aim to fully immerse myself in the character and avoid bringing my own personal experiences to the role. However, working with Christy taught me a lot that I was actually able to use in my own life.

Sydney Sweeney’s role in *Christy* is clearly a passion project for her. She’s excited to share the inspiring story of an American boxer, and she had the unique opportunity to work closely with the boxer herself throughout the entire filmmaking process. Sweeney isn’t just portraying an athlete; she’s bringing the boxer’s real-life challenges and successes to audiences.

It’s rare for an actress to have the real person they’re playing present during filming, but Sydney Sweeney was fortunate to have Christy Martin on set for her biopic. This allowed Sweeney to fully immerse herself in the role and consult Martin directly whenever needed. Although she endured some physical strain, including ice packs after taking punches for the fight scenes, Martin was likely very proud of Sweeney’s dedication to bringing her story to life.

People across the country will be able to watch the movie *Christy* in theaters starting November 7, 2025—and remember to bring gloves!

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2025-10-08 21:40