Sydney Sweeney recently shared that she struggled to fit into her clothes after gaining weight to accurately depict the character of boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming movie. She humorously expressed how her breasts and buttocks significantly increased in size.
The 27-year-old star of Euphoria will be portraying the former super welterweight in a biopic directed by David Michôd, with filming taking place from September to November last year.
Throughout the filming process, Sweeney underwent a remarkable transformation, making her almost unrecognizable on set. She has now opened up about the extensive efforts she put into embodying the character for the film.
To alter her body shape, Sweeney said she would spend four hours working out every day for three months before production got underway.
In the process of her intense image overhaul, she shared that she gained 30 pounds and that she was stronger than ever.
Speaking as the cover star of this month’s special summer issue of the Wall Street Journal, Sweeney said: ‘I came onboard to play Christy, and I had about three-and-a-half months of training.
‘I started eating. I weight-trained in the morning for an hour, kickboxed midday for about two hours, and then weight-trained again at night for an hour.’
Sweeney described her body as being ‘completely different.’
Sydney Sweeney has revealed she wasn’t able to fit into her clothes after piling on the pounds to play boxer Christy Martin
The Euphoria actress is set to portray the former super welterweight in David Michôd’s upcoming biopic. Martin is seen in 1996
‘I didn’t fit in any of my clothes,’ she continued to the publication.
‘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! But it was amazing: I was so strong, like crazy strong.’
Sweeney, who is known for her blonde bombshell look and hourglass curves, sported a brunette curly wig, blue bandana, and baggy clothing to channel Martin during her heyday.
In pictures from the set, she covered up her famed curves in a brown shirt, blue hoodie and joggers and wore minimal make-up.
Known as ‘The Coal Miner’s Daughter’ thanks to her father’s job, Martin is credited with putting women’s boxing on the map after taking on Deirdre Gogarty in front of a sell-out crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 1996.
She graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, appeared on talk shows, and even made guest appearances on US sitcoms afterwards.
Yet her life away from the cameras was anything but glamorous.
Martin has said that she spent 20 years suffering abuse at the hands of her husband, James ‘Jim’ Martin, who was also her trainer.
Sweeney was barely recognizable on the set of the biopic, having gained 30 pounds and completely transforming her body
‘My boobs got bigger. And my butt got huge. It was crazy! But it was amazing: I was so strong, like crazy strong,’ Sweeney enthused to WSJ. She’s seen last September
On November 23, 2010, Jim stabbed her several times and shot her at least once in her torso, leaving her for dead.
The attack reportedly occurred after an argument at home. She survived the assault.
In June 2012, Jim was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of attempted second-degree murder and manslaughter.
Martin now works as a promoter and has been married to Lisa Holewyne, a fellow former boxer who she used to meet in the ring, since 2017, after coming out as a lesbian in the wake of her marriage ending.
In May, Martin revealed she was ecstatic over the actress taking on the challenge of playing her and said she would also be eager to help her train for the role.
While speaking about the project, she told TMZ that she was thrilled about the casting, especially considering Sweeney’s experience in MMA and combat sports.
The actress revealed that she didn’t fit into any of her clothes during her image overhaul. She’s seen earlier this month
Martin and Sweeney react to fans during the Parade of Champions on June 8, 2025 in Canastota, New York
The Hall of Fame boxer gushed over Sweeney, saying: ‘I think she is young, hot, talented.’
She added that Sweeney is ‘about to make a movie that in 20 plus years, fathers will watch with their daughters to make them aware of domestic violence.’
Martin, now 56, also explained the importance of the biopic because it’s about more than just her boxing career and journey.
‘I want this movie to bring awareness to domestic violence, the challenge of sexuality and overall underdog story,’ she said.
‘I am a coal miner’s daughter from a small town in southern West Virginia that made an impact in a sport that wasn’t taken seriously – women’s boxing.’
