Going beyond boxing, that’s how Muhammad Ali helped the sweet science reach its pinnacle. Touching several hearts, The Greatest garnered billions in viewership—generating worldwide interest in the sport. Then came Mike Tyson, who gave another whole meaning to what it means to be called a knockout artist. Then came the ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd to shatter several records and eventually earn the moniker Money Mayweather. While these legends shaped the sport, they weren’t alone in preserving boxing’s legacy.

Enter Sylvester Stallone, whose Rocky and Creed film franchises carried the torch, blending cinematic magic with the raw spirit of boxing. Inspired by the true story of Chuck Wepner, an underdog who faced off against Muhammad Ali, and got back up after getting knocked down by Ali, the movies’ dialogues and songs continue to serve as motivational quotes and anthems for many beyond the sports, including an adorable toddler.

Legends unite to acknowledge

A heartwarming post from 2016 shows a then-2-year-old toddler re-enacting Sylvester Stallone’s iconic Rocky workout montage. Mimicking Rocky Balboa’s moves, from push-ups to pad work, and even perfectly capturing his exhausted pose and one-hand pushups—the toddler continues to capture everyone’s attention to date.

Notably, the montage is from the movie Rocky II, where Rocky Balboa prepares for his rematch with Apollo Creed, ultimately securing his historic world heavyweight championship win. The toddler’s adorable rendition of the classic scene left many in awe, with some from the boxing world acknowledging the impressive accuracy of the re-enactment.

Social media pages continue to re-upload the viral clip, which recently caught the attention of Muhammad Ali’s family. Ali’s daughter, Laila Ali, an undefeated boxing champion in her own right, recognized the 2-year-old’s fighting spirit by liking the resurfaced clip. Joining the female boxing icon, Laila Ali’s husband Curtis Conway and sister Miya Ali also liked the post.

But they weren’t the only ones. Current WBC interim super-welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. was among the 500,000-plus users who liked the September 2024 post. This young fan has already caught the Rocky spirit, even grabbing the attention of Rocky star Sylvester Stallone himself.

What did Sylvester Stallone say about the toddler?

Soon after going viral six years ago, his viral clip was re-uploaded by Sly on his Instagram page. The Hollywood icon praised the then-2-year-old toddler, captioning his post: “This kid makes me so proud that it touches A heart so young … Maybe I have to fight him and ROCKY 10!!!”

While the Rocky star showered him with heaps of praise, very little is known about this adorable toddler. So, let’s find out more about him.

Parents, hometown, and other details about Charlie

The viral toddler’s name is Charlie Magilavy. About his family, his father and mother’s names are Zack Magilavy and Melissa Hart-Magilavy, respectively. According to reports, Charlie resides in Streetsboro, part of the Akron metropolitan area in Ohio, with his parents, who captured the viral footage in the comfort of their own home.

At the time of writing, Charlie’s parents have been married to each other for around 14 years. His father, Zack, born on April 26, is 42 years old, whereas his mother, Melissa, reportedly celebrates her birthday on December 26. However, her age is unknown. Meanwhile, Charlie is approximately ten years old now.

Charlie also has two siblings, although not much is known about them.

Father’s plea to the internet

With instant popularity comes intense scrutiny, and even a 2-year-old wasn’t spared from criticism. While the dark side of the internet continues to tarnish innocent individuals’ experiences, one must focus on the good. Similarly, his father, Zack, pleaded to the internet against negative comments, asking people to focus on the positive.

Back in July 2016, several social users asked Zack Magilavy to re-upload Charlie’s viral footage. Fulfilling their request, Charlie’s father penned a message. “Ok, guys. Here is the video that everyone wants me to put back up of our little boy Charlie training with his favorite boxer. It brings a smile to our faces every time he asks to ‘workout with Rocky‘. He takes his workouts very seriously.”

“If you enjoy it as much as we do, please feel free to share it,” said Zack while cherishing his adorable toddler. “Who knows, maybe it will make it back to Sly.” A wish that later came true.

Clapping back to the critics, Zack concluded by stating, “Please keep the negative comments to yourself. No, we do not allow him to watch the fight scenes and yes his TV time is very limited. It’s a 2 minute clip and he’s been training for the last year!!”

Notably, the demand for re-uploading the clip came on the occasion of Sylvester Stallone’s birthday.

For Charlie, what began as a playful workout with his hero has grown into a viral sensation that unites fans of boxing and film alike. It’s a delightful reminder that even the youngest among us can be inspired by the power of film and the determination of a beloved character like Rocky Balboa. What was your first reaction when you saw this viral sensation?