Sydney Sweeney considers boxing after significant body transformation
Sydney Sweeney has revealed she is contemplating a shift into boxing following a substantial body transformation for her latest film. The actress, who stars in the boxing blockbuster Christy, stated that she gained considerable weight for the role and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of filming it, reports BritPanorama.
The biographical sports drama traces the life of former professional boxer Christy Martin, often dubbed “America’s most well-known female boxer,” and highlights the emergence of women’s boxing in the 1990s, with Sweeney portraying the lead character. The screenplay navigates challenging themes, including domestic abuse suffered by Martin, culminating in a near-fatal incident involving her husband and coach in 2010.
Sweeney expressed her passion for the sport during an appearance on Good Morning America, stating, “There was a moment in the middle of filming where I was like, ‘Should I give it all up and fight because I love this?'” She noted that Martin encouraged her to take the idea seriously, saying, “Christy said sign me up so this isn’t as hypothetical as you actually think it is.”
On the possibility of stepping into the ring, Sweeney indicated openness to a charity bout, remarking, “Yeah, I’d totally do a charity bout, that’d be so sick.” She also teased future announcements regarding opponents, stating that it would be a surprise and advising fans to stay tuned for upcoming information.
The actress committed to intensive training over three and a half months, balancing a regimen that included weight training and boxing drills. Sweeney collaborated with professional coaches, dedicating extensive hours each day to ensure her performance was credible, experiencing incidents such as concussions during training.
This trend of actors transitioning from film to combat sports has gained momentum, with several stars, including Mickey Rourke and Ronda Rousey, successfully bridging the gap between Hollywood and boxing. Having practiced kickboxing and grappling in her youth, Sweeney seems poised to follow in their footsteps.
With the crossover between sport and entertainment becoming increasingly common, Sweeney’s journey highlights not only the physical demands of boxing but also the allure it holds for individuals from diverse backgrounds, presenting intriguing questions about the relationship between performance and real-life challenges.
