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Sylvester Stallone rejected Mike Tyson’s offer to appear in 'Rocky' franchise as he feared for his life
Mike Tyson Handout Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tyson reportedly once asked to be in the popular Rocky franchise but Sylvester Stallone rejected it.

All boxing fans have watched some of the Rocky films, and it even inspired people to take up the sport.

Many real boxers appeared in the franchise like Antonio Tarver, Tommy Morrison and most notably boxing legend Roberto Duran.

But Sylvester Stallone revealed he was not so keen on the idea of ‘Iron Mike’ featuring.

Speaking to Contact Music, as per Boxing Scene, he said:

“Mike wanted to fight me in this film but I thought it was a bad idea. I know I’m not that young, but I’m still too young to die.

“I said, ‘Thanks, but I don’t think that would be a very good idea. Thank you very much.’ But he kept calling the office saying he wanted to be in the film fighting me.”

Eventually Stallone gave in and told the former heavyweight champ he could land a cameo at ringside.

Stallone added:

“Eventually, I relented and said he could be in the audience. Then I never heard from him. Suddenly, when I turn up in the ring he’s there at the side. I turned round and said to the crew, ‘Can you make sure you keep that son of a b---h out of the ring. If he gets in he’ll kill me.’ The man’s a killer.”

This article first appeared on BenchWarmers and was syndicated with permission.

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