Mike Tyson reportedly once asked to be in the popular Rocky franchise but Sylvester Stallone rejected it.
All boxing fans have watched some of the Rocky films, and it even inspired people to take up the sport.
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Many real boxers appeared in the franchise like Antonio Tarver, Tommy Morrison and most notably boxing legend Roberto Duran.
Sylvester Stallone and Roberto Durán on the set of one of the Rocky films. pic.twitter.com/MVDyvm26Fa
— Boxing History (@BoxingHistory) July 27, 2022
But Sylvester Stallone revealed he was not so keen on the idea of ‘Iron Mike’ featuring.
Speaking to Contact Music, as per Boxing Scene, he said:
“Mike wanted to fight me in this film but I thought it was a bad idea. I know I’m not that young, but I’m still too young to die.
“I said, ‘Thanks, but I don’t think that would be a very good idea. Thank you very much.’ But he kept calling the office saying he wanted to be in the film fighting me.”
IBHOF Class of 2011 – Ignacio Beristain, Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Kostya Tzsyu, Sly Stallone & Joe Cortez – pic.twitter.com/ybzBclsAUM
— CHIP🏴🇬🇧 (@philchipbally) July 18, 2014
Eventually Stallone gave in and told the former heavyweight champ he could land a cameo at ringside.
Stallone added:
“Eventually, I relented and said he could be in the audience. Then I never heard from him. Suddenly, when I turn up in the ring he’s there at the side. I turned round and said to the crew, ‘Can you make sure you keep that son of a b***h out of the ring. If he gets in he’ll kill me.’ The man’s a killer.”