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Sydney Sweeney looks unrecognizable as she begins filming a biopic about a boxer who puts Mike Tyson to shame

Sydney Sweeney looks unrecognizable as she begins filming a biopic about a boxer who puts Mike Tyson to shame

Everyone is familiar with Sydney Sweeney's work, but you might not recognize the star actress in her upcoming role.

Leaked photos on the set of “The Miner’s Daughter”show Sweeney portraying the famous boxer Christy Martin in a look that is far different from Sweeney's other roles.

Fans usually see Sweeney in her glamorous outfits at red carpet events, but she has taken on a new challenge

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Fans usually see Sweeney in her glamorous outfits at red carpet events, but she has taken on a new challengePhoto credit: Getty

Yes, that's Sweeney.

She traded in her usual red carpet glamor for a darker and much darker role.

It won't be easy portraying the infamous Martin, who now goes by her maiden name Salters.

Being known as the one who paved the way for female fighters – becoming a world champion, becoming the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated and being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame – is just a small part of that History of Salters.

Not to mention the night Salter stole the spotlight from Mike Tyson in 1996 when she faced Deirdre Gogarty on his undercard, in a fight that Sports Illustrated claimed had “more action and better boxing” than Tyson's Fight with Frank Bruno.

Again, just a small excerpt from Salters' story, as her life outside the ring was marked by tragedy and devastation.

Salters suffered years of physical and emotional abuse from her former husband James Martin, which peaked in 2010.

On November 23, the distraught husband stabbed and shot his wife multiple times in their home in Apopka, Florida, leaving her for dead.

Miraculously, Salters survived and Martin was convicted of attempted second-degree murder and found guilty on all three counts, facing life in prison.

Sweeney has to take it all in and consider it when portraying the boxing legend.

Martin compiled a record of 49-7-3 and 31 knockouts over the course of her career

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Martin compiled a record of 49-7-3 and 31 knockouts over the course of her careerPhoto credit: Getty

And while she knows Salters' story extends far beyond the ring, Sweeney is still looking forward to putting the gloves back on.

Yes, back, because the ring is no stranger to her.

“I fought and did kickboxing from age 12 to 19,” Sweeney told Deadline after she was announced for the role.

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“I'm itching to get back in the ring, train and change my body.

Christy's story is not an easy one, it is physically and emotionally demanding and there is a lot of weight to carry. But I love challenging myself.”

This may be one of, if not the, most challenging aspects of the role Sweeney has taken on.

Sweeney has had leading roles in The White Lotus and Anyone But You and now steps into the role of Martin as a professional boxer

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Sweeney has had leading roles in The White Lotus and Anyone But You and now steps into the role of Martin as a professional boxerPhoto credit: Getty

The film will portray Salters' life as he grew up in a family of miners in a small town in West Virginia, which will carry a lot of emotional weight.

The film's director, David Michôd, said that the film will go far beyond the pure world of sports.

“It’s about more than just boxing – it’s about survival, identity and resilience,” Martin said.

“Fathers will watch this film with their daughters and make them aware of domestic violence.”

Not only is Sweeney's look unrecognizable, but she's sure to deliver a performance that most of her fans aren't used to.

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