‘I have a very punchable face’: Sylvester Stallone recounts real-life ‘Rocky moment’
Actor said he got into ‘many’ fights back in the day
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sylvester Stallone has admitted he’s been in “many” fights in his life, but one stands out in particular as his “Rocky moment”.
While the 76-year-old actor may give off a “don’t mess with me” vibe, it hasn’t always been that way, he said.
“No matter what, I just had that kind of face that people wanted to punch,” Stallone, who gained worldwide fame for his portrayal of professional boxing champ Rocky Balboa, told The Independent during an interview on Thursday 10 November.
“I would go to a dance, and there would be 300 people there,” he explained.
“There would be like three guys, and they would just zero in on me and go, ‘Hey get out of here.’ I go ‘Why?’ And he goes, ‘You don’t own the place, get out of here.’
“I turn around, and then they – bang – hit me in the face,” the Oscar-nominated actor said as he mimicked the motion with his hand.
“And then I had this ‘Rocky moment’ outside, and I go, ‘Am I going to live for the rest of my life knowing this guy punched me in the face? I can’t do it.’ So, I turn around and go back in, and it’s on.”
He added matter-of-factly: “All the time, I don’t know what it is. I just have a very punchable face.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Stallone clarified that his forthcoming absence from Michael B Jordan’s Creed III does not mean he’s turning his back on the franchise.
In June he announced he would not be reprising his iconic role as Rocky in Jordan’s directorial debut. Earlier this week, he addressed his absence, calling it a “regretful situation”.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
However, Stallone is set to soon make his TV debut in Paramount+’s newest drama comedy series Tulsa King.
He leads the series as mafia capo Dwight Manfredi, whose boss exiles him to Tulsa, Oklahoma after his recent release from 25 years in prison.
Tulsa King premieres on 13 November on Paramount+, with new episodes released weekly.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments