A Decade Later, Legendary Boxing Announcer Relives His Involvement in “Grudge Match” Featuring Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, and Kevin Hart

The date was 25 December 2013 – 67-year-old Sylvester Stallone and 70-year-old Robert De Niro entered the ring after thirty years of their initial clash. It was a movie, of course, but having been featured in legendary flicks like Rocky and Raging Bull, their collaboration created quite a buzz. Alongside the main characters, it featured Kevin Hart and real-life boxing announcer Michael Buffer, among other big names.

A decade has passed since its release, but Buffer remembers those days quite too well. At 3:52 PM yesterday, the Philadelphia native turned to X (formerly Twitter), sharing his experience working in the movie alongside the Hollywood juggernauts. Hint – the boxing announcer took a liking to the comedian/actor Kevin Hart.

Michael Buffer recalls his most cherished scene

A day prior to Buffer’s tweet, an X user shared the poster of the movie on the platform with the caption that read, “MOVIE HISTORY: 10 years ago today, December 25, 2013, the movie ‘Grudge Match’ opened in theatres!”  Buffer later came upon the tweet, revealing, “I had a blast appearing in this movie, especially my scene with Kevin Hart! ‘LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!’”  

Interestingly, Buffer appeared in an interview with Sports Illustrated on December 16, 2013, where he answered a question that many would like to have the answer to. He revealed who he thought would win in a real-life fight between Rocky Balboa and Jake LaMotta, characters played by Stallone and De Niro in their respective movies. Many would not believe who he picked as the winner.

Buffer chooses Sylvester Stallone, or does he?

Buffer was there to discuss ‘Grudge Match,’ he revealed the director Peter Segal got the project with Warner Brothers, settling on hiring De Niro and Stallone for the roles because of their stardom in the Raging Bull and Rocky, 30 and 35 years ago. He further added, “It’s gonna be a great movie, a lot of fun. Romance, comedy, and boxing.”

However, later in the interview, Buffer answered who he thinks would win between Balboa and LaMotta. The legendary announcer claimed he would choose De Niro because of how he looked in the movie. “You gotta go with – I remember the way De Niro looked, and I only saw the movie a hundred times. I have to go with De Niro in real life,” said Buffer.

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Even though a decade has passed since the Grudge Match first aired, Buffer remembers all the little memories made during the filming of the movie. Did you watch that movie? If yes, what did you think of it?

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