Sylvester Stallone played a boxer on screen many years ago, but the impact of his performance still receives nods from real fighters, most recently 4x kickboxing champion Jon Di Bella.

Sly made his TV debut in 2022 with Tulsa Kings, and both he and the series were a hit among critics and audiences alike. The 2022 crime-drama series is based on a New York mobster trying to rebuild his life after serving 25 years in prison.

The series shared a clip of a scene on Instagram where Stallone's character, Dwight Manfredi, is seen training in the gym with kettlebells. While working out, he is interrupted by another gym goer and advised on his stance. 

This didn't sit well with the kickboxer, and he quickly commented.

"Only Micky or Apollo is allowed to tell him how to train."

The comment was in reference to Sylvester Stallone's character boxer Rocky Balboa, from the Rocky and Creed franchise.

Bella is the current ONE Strawweight Kickboxing champion, who was ranked among the top Bantamweight kickboxers in the world. His latest fight was against Prajanchai PK on 3rd October, which he won via unanimous decision.

As for the success of Tulsa King, Stallone's fitness became one of the reasons for its success. Even at 79, the actor is playing action roles and is maintaining his physique, giving tough competition to younger actors.

Sylvester Stallone's Changed Approach to Fitness at 79

During his early days, Sly Stallone trained in such a way that his body fat percentage was less than 3% while filming Rocky III, as he himself acknowledged via Instagram. But now at 79, instead of training for big muscles, Stallone trains for strength and longevity. He has set up a home gym where he trains every day.

While talking to the Wall Street Journal, the Rambo star said, 

"I have to start stretching. I have to start moving, get the body going, because there’s nothing worse than sitting down like you’re all decrepit and crinkled up from laying in a fetal position all night long."

His diet includes 60% protein, 20% carbs, and 20% fats, and the only time the carb intake goes down is when he is preparing for a movie role.

What Stallone movie was your favourite? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi