Sydney Sweeney “packs quite a punch” in first look at queer boxer role

18th October 2024

Sydney Sweeney says she’s “honoured” to play Christy Martin, one of the most legendary female boxers of all time.

Following on-set leaks “thanks to some paps in bushes”, the star shared the first two images from the upcoming (and untitled) biopic, which sees Sweeney flexing her muscles (and mullet).

“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 wrote.

“Her journey is a testament to resilience, strength and hope, and I’m honoured to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all. More to come soon.”

Her co-star, Love Lies Bleeding‘s Katy O’Brian, praised her in the following tweet: “And she packs quite a punch!”

Sweeney is best known for her Emmy-nominated role as Cassie on HBO’s acclaimed teen drama Euphoria. She has continued to receive praise as the lead in films such as Reality, Anyone But You and Immaculate.

The biopic, which is yet to receive a release date, is also set to star Ben Foster, Merritt Weaver, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, Chad L. Coleman and Tony Cavalero.

It will chronicle the story of Martin, who competed from 1989 to 2012 and held the WBC female super welterweight title in 2009.

In 2010, her husband James Martin stabbed her several times and shot her in the torso, leaving her for dead. Days before the attack, she told him that she was leaving him for her high school love, Sherry Lusk.

James, who will be played by Foster, was convicted of second-degree murder and is currently serving a 25-year sentence in prison.

In the years since the incident, Martin has revealed that she is a lesbian and only married him to appease her family.

“He would always say, ‘I’m gonna tell the world you’re a lesbian.’ And for whatever reason, you know, I just wasn’t strong enough in me to say, ‘Go ahead,'” she said on a 2020 episode of 48 Hours.

“I know that people think that I should be strong and tough and all those things. But, I didn’t have that same type of mental strength to overtake him.”

Martin added: “I told him, ‘You cannot kill me,’ and I meant it. Just like the sun came up this morning, I meant it.”

Check out Sydney Sweeney’s post below.