She’s a knockout.
Sydney Sweeney and Christy Martin have joined each other in the ring once more for the newest issue of Sports Illustrated.
The pair, who are hot on the heels of their sports drama biopic’s release last month, graced the magazine’s December cover on Tuesday to discuss their time behind the scenes preparing for and filming “Christy.”
Sweeney, dressed in a white tank top tucked into a pair of American flag boxing shorts, sat on a stool in a boxing ring for the cover shoot as Martin leaned in from behind while sporting a similar outfit.
Another snap from the magazine’s newest issue showed the “White Lotus” alum leaning into the boxing ring ropes with her red Superare hand wraps and glistening hair on full display.
But Sweeney, 28, and Martin, 57, didn’t trade in the glitz and glamour for grit completely while posing for Sports Illustrated this month, because additional pics from the photo shoot showed the pair decked out in their finest looks yet.
The “Euphoria” star appeared in one snap dressed up in a gold Marchesa gown with her hand on Martin’s shoulder, as Martin stood with her arms crossed while donning a matching blazer, blouse and pants with a pair of Marc Fisher shoes.
Sweeney, meanwhile, described her first time meeting the former boxing champ after signing on to “Christy” last year.
“I was very surprised I didn’t know who she was,” the “Anyone But You” star told Sports Illustrated for the outlet’s December cover story.
“When I actually got to meet her and get to know her, it’s so inspiring to see how caring and delightful and full of happiness and joy that she is, even though she’s overcome so much,” she added.
After proving herself as a super welterweight champion in a male-dominated sport in 2009, Martin nearly died when her manager-turned-husband, Jim Martin, stabbed and then shot her in the chest in Apopka, Florida, in November 2010.
The retired pro boxer survived the attack, and Jim was later arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Martin went on to marry her current partner, Lisa Holewyne, in 2017.
“The person she is now — it reminds me that no matter what happens, if you always lead with kindness, then you’re on the right path,” Sweeney acknowledged.
“I definitely felt the weight of the importance of Christy’s story.”
Sweeney, who gained 30 pounds to portray Martin in the David Michôd-directed film, also opened up about her decision to leave Los Angeles for her home in Idaho to train for “Christy.”
“I knew that if I kept training in LA or anywhere else, people would start taking photos of me,” she shared. “I wanted to go home. I could disappear, not worry about the outside world and just fully immerse myself in it.”
After only earning a reported $2 million on a $15 million budget following its release on Nov. 7, Sweeney defended “Christy” despite the box office disaster.
The “Housemaid” star took to social media shortly after her and Martin’s Sports Illustrated cover story was released to praise the female boxing legend and the impact she hopes the movie has had on viewers.
“This is the most important film I’ve ever made,” Sweeney wrote on her Instagram Story on Tuesday. “For 20 years, Christy Martin was one of the strongest women in the world inside the ring. But at home, she was abused and nearly killed by the man who claimed to love her.
“Her story isn’t just about boxing,” the actress continued. “It’s about identity, survival, and the unimaginable strength it takes to reclaim your life after someone has taken everything from you.”
“Thank you for watching. Thank you for sharing,” Sweeney concluded.
“I hope ‘Christy’ stays with you long after the credits roll. It has for me.”
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