Sydney Sweeney Reveals Knockout Prep For Upcoming Christy Marint Biopic: Boxing, Bulk Training, and Chick-fil-A

Sydney Sweeney stepped into the spotlight at the Toronto International Film Festival with the premiere of Christy, a biopic about legendary boxer Christy Martin.

The actress opened up about the demanding physical preparation she went through to play the role.

Sweeney explained that she trained intensely for several months before filming began. She worked with boxing coaches, weight trainers, and a nutritionist. “I trained two to three times a day, every day, and then while I was filming, I trained, as well,” she told the audience.

Director David Michôd added with a laugh that the process involved “a lot of Chick-fil-A.” Sweeney agreed, listing “a lot of Smuckers, a lot of milkshakes, a lot of protein shakes” as part of her diet.

The film follows Christy Martin’s rise in the boxing world during the late 1980s and 1990s while also exploring the darker side of her personal life, including abuse from her husband and trainer, played by Ben Foster.

Martin, who attended the premiere herself, was considered a trailblazer in women’s boxing and is widely credited with helping the sport gain attention in the United States.

Audiences in Toronto responded strongly to the screening, applauding Sweeney’s performance with a standing ovation.

The role marks a significant shift for Sweeney, who has been at the center of online conversations for her commercial work in recent months. With Christy, she is already being discussed as a possible awards contender. The film is scheduled to open in U.S. theaters on November 7, 2025.

Director David Michôd spoke about the responsibility of telling Martin’s story. “This was the first time I actually had someone who was around a lot,” he said of working with Martin. “Maybe I went into it naively, but suddenly I went, ‘F*ck, I need to be really careful with it.’ I had a responsibility to get this right.”

Christy Martin herself praised Sweeney’s work, saying the actress managed to capture both her toughness in the ring and her more private, reserved side. “Christy the boxer was just the persona, very bombastic and very egotistical, but that is not who I am,” Martin said. “I am actually very shy and reserved… She wasn’t the beautiful, sexy Sydney. She was the tough, rugged Christy in this movie.”

Alongside Sweeney, the cast includes Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, Chad L. Coleman, Tony Cavalero, and others.

In my view, this looks like a career-defining role for Sydney Sweeney. The physical commitment, the transformation, and the fact that Christy Martin herself supports the performance all point to something special. But what do you think, will this film push Sweeney into serious awards territory, or is it too early to tell? Share your thoughts in the comments.