Sydney Sweeney goes makeup-free playing boxer Christy Martin on set of hotly-anticipated biopic

Sydney Sweeney was nearly unrecognizable on set in Gastonia, North Carolina on Tuesday, as she transformed into legendary boxer Christy Martin for an upcoming biopic.

The Anyone But You star, 27, who recently thwarted a burglary attempt during filming, completely shed her glamorous image for a gritty, athletic look straight out of the 1990s.

Swapping her usual red-carpet style for a baggy sports ensemble, Sweeney donned a brunette wig, a pink tank top, and dark shorts, capturing Martin’s spirit from her early boxing days. 

She added a pair of pink sneakers and carried a knapsack, embodying the fighter who, years later, survived a brutal attack from her husband in an attempt on her life.

The peek into production comes after Sweeney, who practiced combat sports as a teenager, shared that the film has given her the perfect chance to rekindle her passion for the ring.

'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 told Deadline recently. 

'Christy's story isn't a light one; it's physically and emotionally demanding... But I love challenging myself. 

'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.'

The film, directed by David Michod, follows Martin’s rise to prominence in the 1990s as America's top female boxer.

Sweeney signed on to play Christy Martin back in May, with Michod (Animal Kingdom) directing from a script he co-wrote with Mirrah Foulkes. 

The cast includes Ben Foster, playing Martin’s husband, James, along with Merritt Weaver, Ethan Embry, and Katy O’Brien.

Nicknamed 'The Coal Miner’s Daughter' in honor of her father’s roots, Martin, now 56, hails from West Virginia and is widely credited with bringing women’s boxing into the spotlight. 

Her iconic 1996 face-off against Deirdre Gogarty at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas captivated a packed arena, cementing her place in boxing history.

Martin’s success led to appearances on the cover of Sports Illustrated, guest spots on major talk shows, and even cameos in American sitcoms. 

Yet, away from the limelight, her life was far from the picture of success. 

For 20 years, she endured abuse from her husband and trainer, James 'Jim' Martin. 

In a chilling assault on November 23, 2010, Jim stabbed Christy multiple times and shot her once in the torso, leaving her for dead following a heated argument at their home. Remarkably, Christy survived.

In June 2012, Jim was sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempted second-degree murder and manslaughter. 

Today, Christy has found new purpose as a boxing promoter and married her former ring rival, Lisa Holewyne, in 2017. 

Her journey as a boxer and survivor has transformed her into an enduring symbol of resilience.

She went on to become the first woman inducted into both the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (2016) and the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2020), wrapping up her career with a 49-7-3 record.

Currently in production, the release date for the film remains unannounced.