But for the first time in her career, Sykes is trading the punchlines for a film role that packs a dramatic punch.

Sykes stars in the boxing-centered movie “Undercard,” which opens in theatres on February 27. The role officially marks the first time “The Upshaws” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” actress is featured in a dramatic film role.

Sykes plays the character of Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart, a two-time boxing champion and recovering alcoholic who’s on a redemptive quest to repair relationships and reclaim her family. Starring alongside Sykes is Bentley Green, who plays Keith Stewart, the 21-year-old son and gifted boxer that Cheryl abandoned.

At the core of the film are themes of family, forgiveness and alcoholism with boxing as the backdrop, as Cheryl steps in to save Keith’s career and their relationship.

For the 61-year-old Sykes, a lifelong boxing fan who grew up listening to Muhammad Ali fights on the radio, it was the right time in her career to step out of her comfort zone for a serious role. The transition became easier as soon as she was presented with the project by Tamika Miller, the director, writer and producer of “Undercard.”

“I'm a boxing fan, and I've always loved boxing,” Sykes told The Ring. “I wasn't looking for a dramatic role, but Tamika approached me, and after I read the script, I was like, 'Wow, this is pretty good.' I loved the script. I saw the storyboard, the visuals, the tone, and knew the process wouldn't be all over the place. Everything was so well done. Tamika was locked in. I just asked her, 'You want me to do this because Queen Latifah said no?' She said, 'No, I had you in mind for this.’ It was the material, and Tamika's confidence.”

Sykes said she was a huge Sugar Ray Leonard fan while growing up in the Washington, D.C., area. Once her acting and comedy career kicked off, she was among the stars seated ringside for fights featuring the likes of Lennox Lewis and Roy Jones Jr. Nowadays, Sykes is supporting female fighters like Claressa Shields.

While talking about her role in “Undercard,” Sykes also discussed Shields’ win over the weekend and wondered if there is anyone who could beat her. Then she stayed true to her comedic roots, pondering if Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao would make their ring walks in wheelchairs for their upcoming rematch.

“Comedy is drama but with a twist, really,” Sykes said. “For me, in Undercard, it was a lot of set-ups with no punch lines. For the emotional parts, Tamika really took time with me and others. I felt confident as soon as I arrived on set.”

Miller, who directed the 2023 thriller “Honor Student,” said she became motivated to tell the “Undercard” story after spending time training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.

“There was a time when I was a bit obsessed with boxing as a workout,” Miller told The Ring. “Wild Card is a small, funky joint with a lot of men, and they were not worried about me. I was so inspired by the stories of fighters and trainers there. My time at Wild Card sparked my desire to tell this story that I’d never seen before, so here we are.”

Hollywood continues reaching into the well for boxing-focused films in recent years, headlined by the wildly popular "Creed” series.

Over the last year alone, biopics for Christy Martin starring Sydney Sweeney and Naseem Hamed, co-starring Pierce Brosnan, have hit the big screen, as well as boxing dramas starring Ving Rhames (Undisputed) and Tim Blake Nelson (Bang Bang). Netflix also greenlit Jamie Foxx to star in a biopic on the resilient, record-breaking 1984 United States Olympic boxing team.

“So many people are attracted to the sport of boxing,” said Miller. “Some of the most iconic films have had boxing as their backdrop, their thread, their focus. In terms of cinema, boxing has had a huge impact.”

“Undercard” has also already enjoyed some acclaim. The movie premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival in October and won the Audience Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature. Produced by Catalyst Studios and Seismic Releasing, the movie also garnered an Audience Award for Best Independent Film at the St. Louis International Film Festival.

“Boxers are just fascinating characters,” said Sykes. “You have to have that bravado. In Undercard, I want viewers to take away that redemption is possible, and for them not to give up. Life kicks you down sometimes, you keep fighting, and there is a pathway to making amends for relationships. For Cheryl, she did what boxers don't do, let her guard down and let Keith take his punches at her.”