Sydney Sweeney ready to ‘transform’ her body for most physically demanding role yet

Sydney Sweeney is set to star in a new grizzly bear biopic directed by David Michôd.

The project, which has not yet been titled, will tell the real-life story of one of America’s most famous female boxers.

Christy Martin – who was the only female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated – was an incredibly talented fighter and rose to fame when she signed with promoter Don King.

Speaking to the Guardian about her success as a boxer, Martin said: “We were all struggling to get a break. And for some reason I just got lucky and was at the right place at the right time.

“Jesse Robinson, who trained fighters for Don King, saw me training at a gym in Daytona Beach, Florida. And after a while he said to me, ‘I’m going to take you to Don.’ I’m like, “Of course you are.”

“But one day I get a call and Jesse says, ‘Don wants to see you.’ I jumped in the car, drove to Deerfield Beach and signed the contract.”

But behind her boxer persona, Martin battled drug addiction, domestic violence and was nearly killed in a devastating attack.

On November 23, 2010, Martin was approached in her bedroom by her then-husband, Jim, who was armed with a knife and a gun.

Despite being stabbed four times and shot in the chest, Martin miraculously survived.

Speaking to Deadline, Sweeney explained that she was up for the challenge of telling Martin’s story.

“I fought and did kickboxing between the ages of 12 and 19. I couldn’t wait to get back in the ring, train and transform my body. Christy’s story is not light, it is physically and emotionally demanding, there is a lot of weight to carry. But I like to challenge myself,” she said.

“Christy Martin not only legitimized women’s boxing, she overcame gender stereotypes and fought against emotional, physical and financial abuse.

“I am passionate about the world of fighting, Christy’s story highlights her incredible rise to the top while showing the struggles of fame behind the curtains. I feel compelled to tell the story of a woman who faced so much adversity and failed. “I won’t allow him to overcome it. It’s powerful and moving.

Director Michôd added: “I’m used to making films about wounded men and I wanted to make a film about a woman with fierce energy inside her.

“When I came across Christy Martin’s story two years ago, I knew I had found her. Her ferocity is intelligible and justifiable and audiences will crave it because of the circumstances she was forced into ‘endure.”

Featured image credit: Momodu Mansaray/FilmMagic/Al Bello/Allsport//Getty Images

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