Helping the sport of boxing earn worldwide recognition was not a one-person job. From Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, several legends graced the squared circle to put the ‘sweet‘ into what we know as the sweet science. But it wasn’t just the boxers. There were several more, even from different industries. And the first name that comes to mind is Sylvester Stallone.

Inspired by a real boxer named Chuck Wepner, famous for fighting Muhammad Ali in 1975 and being the bloodiest fighter in boxing history, Sylvester Stallone created the most renowned boxing movie series in pop culture history. His character, Rocky Balboa, sparked a boxing revolution. The legendary Rocky franchise’s soundtracks and dialogues remain a go-to source of motivation for many, with even boxing icon Manny Pacquiao citing it as an enduring inspiration.

Manny Pacquiao, Rocky Balboa, and the Eye of the Tiger

Holding several legendary records is not a walk in the park. Not one to back down from a challenge, ‘PacMan‘ created a legacy that supersedes many individuals’ wildest dreams. From being the only 8-division world champion to generating $1.2 billion in revenue from his PPV fights, the 45-year-old boxing icon has done it all. But it was not always sunshine and rainbows.

Akin to anyone who has succeeded in life, Pacquiao had to fall and get back up by holding his chin high. Making a hard-hitting confession, Pacquiao noted in the captions of his post, “Life hits hard, but true champions don’t back down. It’s not about the punches you throw but the ones you endure. If you know your worth, fight for it. Let’s rise, persevere, and keep moving forward. #ChampionsMindset.”

Moreover, he attached a montage of himself in various stages of his life—adding another flare to his social media post with Rocky’s dialogue from the 2006 movie Rocky Balboa: “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place. And I don’t care how tough you are, it’ll beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.”

“But it ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits and not pointin’ fingers saying, ‘You ain’t where you wanna be because of him or her or anybody.’ Cowards do that, and that ain’t you!” – the monologue concludes and so does the video.

Besides using his song, Manny Pacquiao is known for making his way to the ring on Rocky Balboa’s legendary soundtrack, “Eye of the Tiger.” So, it is not the first time the Filipino’s pride has drawn inspiration from Sylvester Stallone’s movies. Interestingly, Stallone’s path to fame was also not without its challenges. Despite facing numerous setbacks, the actor-writer-director persevered, ultimately creating the beloved Rocky franchise. But things turned sour! So what happened?

Sylvester Stallone has nothing left to show for!

The fan-favorite ‘Sly‘ worked day and night making sacrifices to breathe life into the Rocky and Creed movie series. However, things took a bad turn as Sylvester Stallone found himself in a dispute with the producers over ownership rights. And the 78-year-old star made sure to let the world know about it.

Going scorched earth on the producer Irwin Winkler, Stallone once sent a confrontational message, “Does it bother you guys that I’ve written every word, I’ve choreographed it, I’ve been loyal to you, I’ve promoted it, directed it and I don’t have 1% that I could leave for my children?”

Heartbroken by such betrayal, ‘Sly‘ couldn’t bring himself to watch Michael B. Jordan’s Creed III. He stated: “Never. Michael B. Jordan [is] a nice guy, the studio is wonderful. But it’s just been such a real rough emotional ride, that’s all.” However, he remains open to the idea of coming back on the condition that Irwin Winkler plays no part in it. “Now, if Michael B. Jordan and we come up with a story, I’ll do Creed IV with him. As long as the other fellow is not involved,” said the international boxing Hall of Famer.

Which Rocky movie, dialogue, and soundtrack is your favorite?