Overview

• The biopic about pioneering boxer Christy Martin premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to a standing ovation and immediate attention on Sweeney’s lead turn.
• Sweeney said she trained up to three times daily for months, kept training during production, and gained more than 30 pounds to resemble a professional fighter.
• Her regimen included work with boxing and weight coaches plus a high‑calorie diet she and director David Michôd described as heavy on Chick‑fil‑A, Smucker’s, milkshakes, and protein shakes.
• Michôd praised Sweeney as fearless and willing to tackle unglamorous material to maintain realism, while the actor noted she sustained bruises during intense fight scenes.
• Christy Martin attended the premiere and lauded the portrayal as the film readies for a November 7 theatrical release with critical reaction ranging from praise for Sweeney to critiques of a conventional biopic.