In his prime, Mike Tyson was arguably the most feared boxer in history. In 2022, the former world heavyweight champion appeared on Access Hollywood for an exclusive interview. During the interview, the host Mario Lopez played a fun game of prediction with the former boxer. Lopez hypothetically pitched celebrities against one another and asked Tyson who would win in a boxing match. One of the options was Arnold Schwarzenegger vs. Sylvester Stallone. Since Stallone had boxed in Rocky, Tyson preferred him over the bodybuilding icon.

However, the Rocky actor recently let Mike Tyson down while talking about Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Netflix documentary Arnold. In Episode 2 of the three-part docuseries, the Expendables star made a confession that went against the 56-year-old boxing champion’s prediction.

Sylvester Stallone revealed his impression of Arnold Schwarzenegger

In the 80s two leading men dominated Hollywood when it came to action films, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, Arnie caught everyone’s attention with his seven-time Olympia-winning physique. A rivalry began on their first encounter in 1977. Schwarzenegger landed a role that demanded physicality, so Sly followed suit with Rambo and Rocky.

To convincingly portray Rocky Balboa, the action star underwent a bodybuilding transformation and boxing training. Based on this info and the fact that Arnie never trained like a boxer, the former boxing champion chose Sylvester Stallone. “Stallone really fought people before he really actually boxes. I don’t know if Arnold really actually fought before,” said the 56-year-old. 

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While speaking about the Terminator, Stallone even equated their rivalry with “Ali and Frazier.” However, he admitted to feeling that the Austrian was the superior action hero. “He just had all the answers… The body… The strength. That was his character,” added the Rocky star in Part 2: The Actor. The 76 also stated that Arnie defeated him to become number one. However, that didn’t dissuade Stallone from going toe to toe with the seven-time Mr. Olympia.

The intense rivalry between the action icons 

After losing the Golden Globe for best newcomer to the Austrian Oak, Stallone strived to outdo the rising star at every front. From box-office numbers to how many bad guys they slay on screen. The bodybuilding champion responded in kind. When Stallone played an ex-special Forces Vietnam vet, Schwarzenegger played the near-invincible commando.

When Stallone showed off his rippling physique while firing an LGM on his own, Arnie wielded a multi-barrel rocket launcher like a child’s toy. In fact, they even compared one another’s kill count in their movies. We will never know who would have won a boxing match in their prime. However, had celebrity boxing and social media been the thing in the 80s, the rivals might have actually faced off inside the squared circle.

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