Sydney Sweeney is not just a Hollywood starlet—she’s a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the screen. Best known for her standout roles in Euphoria and the upcoming rom-com Anyone But You, Sweeney is now taking on a much grittier role as she prepares to portray real-life boxing legend Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic directed by David Michôd. Dubbed the “female Rocky,” Martin’s story is one of physical and emotional endurance, and Sweeney is more than ready for the challenge.
“I grappled and did kickboxing from 12 to 19 years old,” Sweeney revealed. “I’ve been itching to get back into the ring, train, and transform my body. Christy’s story isn’t a light one—it’s physically and emotionally demanding, and there’s a lot of weight to carry. But I love challenging myself.”
This isn’t just a new role for the Euphoria star—it’s a return to her roots. Sweeney has been passionate about combat sports since childhood, starting Taekwondo at the age of five as an outlet for her hyperactivity. As she grew, so did her love for martial arts.
By the time she was a teenager, she had expanded her skill set to include mixed martial arts (MMA), and even competed in her first grappling competition at age 18, where she faced off against male opponents who outweighed her. The result? First place.
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“I started when I was 14 and did my first competition at 18,” Sweeney shared. “It was a grappling competition against all guys a weight category above me, and I got first place.”
At just 5’3″, Sweeney is proof that looks can be deceiving. “I really fell in love with MMA,” she told L’Officiel in 2020. “It’s a really cool skill, strength, and power that I hold, and many people, when they look at me, they’re like, ‘Yeah, right,’ and I’m like, ‘Let’s go to a ring, I’ll fight you.’” This intense background in martial arts will serve Sweeney well as she steps into the shoes of Christy Martin, one of the most influential female boxers of all time.
Christy Martin’s life is not just a story of triumph in the ring, but also one of survival. Known for being the first female fighter to sign with legendary boxing promoter Don King, Martin broke barriers in the sport, including gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated, an honor very few female athletes, let alone female boxers, have achieved. Outside the ring, however, Martin’s life was fraught with personal struggles, including a tumultuous and abusive marriage to her manager and husband, Jim Martin. In a shocking twist to her life story, Jim Martin attempted to take her life, a harrowing experience that Christy survived, making her story even more powerful and inspiring.
Sweeney is deeply committed to doing justice to Christy Martin’s legacy. Her martial arts experience, coupled with her acting prowess, will no doubt help her embody the fighter’s physicality and emotional journey. “I’m passionate about the fighting world,” Sweeney has said, and that passion is sure to shine through in her portrayal of Martin.
Off the screen, Sweeney is equally unstoppable. She’s become a social media sensation, amassing 22 million Instagram followers who are drawn to her authentic and fierce personality. And while her career is on a meteoric rise, she’s also found balance in her personal life. Sweeney is engaged to Chicago businessman Jonathan Davino, and she credits their relationship with providing a strong support system during her increasingly busy career.
Sweeney’s trajectory continues to soar, with her taking on more challenging roles and solidifying herself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile talents.
From her impressive martial arts background to her acting career, she’s proving that she’s not just another pretty face—she’s a fighter, both literally and figuratively.
With her upcoming role as Christy Martin, Sydney Sweeney is poised to deliver yet another knockout performance, and the world is ready to see her step into the ring.
