rocky balboa
An older, post-op Sylvester Stallone started filming the latest installment of the Rocky series on December 2nd. Rocky VI, “Rocky Balboa” will feature Stallone as Rocky, again in the ring, which I absolutely did not suspect when I first heard rumors of the film. Sly is definitely in great shape for a 59 year old guy. He’s actually quite amazing, despite the steroid abuse and plastic surgery, but in my opinion at least, he should leave the boxing to young men who’s hips are less susceptible to breakage.
The film has an official website AND a production blog featuring entries by the actors and production team as well as video blog segments. Currently only the first video entry is up, but it is interesting.
Antonio Tarver, professional Light Heavyweight Champion in the real world, the only guy to ever knock out Roy Jones Jr., will be playing Rocky’s opponent, Mason Dixon. Stallone claims this will add unparalleled realism and authenticity to the fights. I think it’s a recipe for disaster, bad acting, and Stallone looking like the clumsy oaf that he is.
Antonio is also making a huge mistake for his career. He is gaining 25lbs for the role, moving up to 200lbs, which he intends on keeping in order to fight Mike Tyson. I shit you not. Mike Tyson, though useless and washed up, still punches like an ox. He’s a true heavyweight, and will fight at a weight near 220lbs I assume. Tarver will be fighting at that weight for the first time, and will still be outweighed by more than 20lbs. I think his Jones-beating has gone to his head. This has “career ending injury” written all over it. I can only assume greed and ego have fueled this decision-making inability.
Well, there you have it. Rocky 6 is a go. Stallone is on the juice, sparring with a professional with fantastic skills and agility, who will put on 20lbs for the role and then fight Mike Tyson for real shortly after. You really can’t make this shit up. I will be following the blog closely and keeping you all up to date.
I read the script and it wasn’t nearly as bad as you might expect. The title sucked though… “Puncher’s Chance.”
Basically, Rocky comes out of retirement because he’s bored and a new, young boxer (who isn’t getting respect) needs a fight that boxing fans will consider a real match.
If CGI can make Keanu look like a full blown martial artist who can kick God’s ass, there’s no telling what they could do with a Stalone who’s been in a ring or two, and doesn’t have to do backflips.
I’m actually (and unexpectedly) looking forward to Rocky VI.
Train-wreck or not, I think a little ‘chopping-down-Ivan-the-Russian-monster-Drago’ testosterone overload is well overdue.
Rockoooooo!!
One correction. Tarver is not the only guy to have knocked out Roy Jones Jr. Glen Johnson starched him in the ninth round of Jones’ very next fight after getting KO’ed by Tarver.
Tarver is probably making a mistake in fighting Tyson. You can’t help but think that Mike is a bad choice for anyone. He’s old and crazy, and his last several fights have been terrible. If Tarver wins, it doesn’t add much to his cache. But if he gets caught with a Tyson bomb early in the fight, it could seriously fuck him up. And of course you always gotta watch out for Tyson’s biting and brutal arm locks.