The #1 Sylvester Stallone Fan Site in the World!
On March 4, 2004, Richard Johnson of the New York Post’s Page Six reported that “Sylvester Stallone may be stepping back into the ring. The mush-mouthed movie star — who is busy writing “Rocky 6” — may play himself in the upcoming biopic about former Great White Hope Tommy Morrison, who appeared in “Rocky V” and tested positive for HIV in 1996.”
Thanks to Tarek for the tip! – Craig Zablo
This week’s POW comes from my personal collection.
– Craig Zablo
PS – This wee
This early update is due to the fact that I’ll be out of town this weekend. I’ll have more updates when I return, including pics from the latest issues of US and Entertainment Weekly!
The idea of the STALLONEZONE first came to me in the late 70’s! Of course it would have been a LOT different back then! At that time I was really into comic books, original art and fanzines (magazines created by fans which contained original art, stories, interviews, etc). My good friend, John Beatty was an aspiring comic artist and had started to develop contacts with other fans and pros as well.
John and I were going to do a comic fanzine and I talked about creating a fanzine that covered comics and movies. We even went so far as to layout the first issue and get art stats started. We never did publish it (but I still have some of the stats!) because John began to get work professinally and I was busy with college.
I revisited the idea in the mid 80’s and even published a couple of newsletters titled ZONE that were mailed out to friends. The emphasis was again on comics, art and movies. Of course SLY was covered in each issue!
The idea for a STALLONE periodical for his fans was always in the back of my mind and once I had access to the internet I became intrigued with the idea of a website dedicated to SLY. I was on AOL and they had an area that members could use to create simple websites with a point and click production. I was off and running.
When I first started the STALLONEZONE back in 1996, it was a one man operation. I did everything from finding news items, to scanning pictures, and designing the pages. You name it and I did it alone. The site was very basic at first and then I began to add the “bells and whistles” [animated gifs, flashing messages, scrolling headlines, etc.].
My good friend, John Beatty, was impressed with my web abilities and wanted to learn how to do all of these cool things. Needless to say, in no time John was the expert and with his artistic sense of layout and design, he was able to offer suggestions and solutions to my every question. John graciously designed logos, and pages, as well as provided the much needed technical support. John came on board officially as the site co-designer and technician.
My goal was to create a Stallone ‘periodical’ of sorts. A web “magazine” that fans could count on being updated ‘weekly.’ John felt that the best way to do this was to simplify the site and streamline the ease of use to the web surfer. John took my ideas and his sensibilities and through many give-and-take sessions, we developed the STALLONEZONE into what it is today… the most popular Stallone site on the web!
The AOL site was quickly becoming too small for the SZ! I decided that I would have to find another server in order to meet the needs of our plans for the SZ. Early in 1999 we switched over to Mindspring. Within six months Mindspring was too small! John and I talked about getting Stallonezone domained. In September of 1999 we did just that!
Although we have received news and photos from various sources over the years, one very talented Stallone fan named Ernest Resendes [A.K.A. “Jazzman”] began to send in scans of his original art as well as rare pictures from his personal collection. Jazzman did this repeatedly without request for payment or even credit [although we ALWAYS credit fans who send in items that are used on the STALLONEZONE.]. Jazzman became a regular contributor whose positive responses and upbeat attitude transcended the casual fan/contributor. John and I discussed the situation and decided that Ernest should be offered a role as ‘Associate Gallery Editor.” Jazzman accepted and became the third member of the team.
In June of 2000, rOb De Vera the creator of the very popular STALLONE tribute page, Souhpaw, decided to retire the site due to the time constraints needed to maintain Southpaw’s high level of excellence. rOb had always been a SZ regular and had in fact donated specifically made graphics to us over the years. rOb’s site was always given top billing in our STALLONE links section so it seemed natural to invite him to join the SZ creative team. rOb enthusiastically agreed!
Currently the four of us provide the bulk of the material that appears on the STALLONEZONE. Whenever others contribute we offer them a “byline” for their contribution.
We would also like to acknowledge all the people who post on our message-board. We appreciate their support.
We have no plans to expand our editorial staff [besides not many people are willing to work for nothing but praise!] but who knows what the future will hold?
This week’s POW comes from Ernest Jazzman Resendes .
Thanks! – Craig Zablo
NBC in ‘Contender’s’ Corner
Wed Feb 25, 7:36 AM ET
By Nellie Andreeva
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – On Sylvester Stallone’s home turf — the no-frills L.A. Boxing Club in a gritty part of downtown Los Angeles where he trains — the actor along with producer Mark Burnett officially announced “The Contender,” a new reality boxing series for NBC.
Sitting in front of a kickboxing ring decorated in white, red and blue, the two, who executive produce the project with DreamWorks’ Jeffrey Katzenberg, fielded questions Tuesday from reporters about the series, which will chronicle the lives of 16 aspiring boxers who vie for the top prize, which will include a monetary component as well as a chance at becoming a professional prizefighter.
“I’m going to be Donald Thump,” Stallone quipped when asked to compare his role on the show to that of Donald Trump on Burnett’s hit reality series “The Apprentice” on NBC.
There is an idea about getting such boxing greats as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier to appear on the DreamWorks TV/Mark Burnett Prods. show, and they may even spar with Stallone.
“Me actually going in the ring with a few of these people and friends, I think that will be kind of fun,” Stallone said.
The winner will not sign with any of the existing professional boxing organizations. Burnett confirmed that the goal is to launch a new federation that will handle the best contenders on the show.
“Right now, the focus is first of all to take 16 fighters and give them a chance,” Burnett said. “But going forward, yes, the intention is to protect these fighters and give them a chance.”
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Mark Burnett, creator of the reality television show ‘Survivor’ joined Sylvester Stallone for a press conference at the LA Boxing Club in Los Angeles take questions about their new reality television show ‘The Contender’ on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004.
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Sly to Produce Reality TV Boxing Series
Tue Feb 24, 8:31 PM ET
By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer
LOS ANGELES – Sylvester Stallone is getting back into boxing — this time finding and grooming young fighters to compete in a reality television show.
The 57-year-old star of the five “Rocky” movies will be executive producer of “The Contender,” working with reality mogul Mark Burnett (“The Apprentice” and “Survivor”) and Jeffrey Katzenberg, a founder of DreamWorks SKG.
Stallone and Burnett, speaking at a news conference at a downtown boxing club Tuesday, said the NBC series will focus on the lives of boxing hopefuls in and outside the ring. NBC executives said the show will likely air in the 2004-05 season.
“‘Rocky’ wasn’t about boxing; it was about the people around him who gave him reason to go on,” said Stallone, who originated the role of hard-luck fighter Rocky Balboa role in the 1976 best-picture Oscar winner.
The idea of the new series was hatched by Katzenberg, the former Disney executive who went on to form his own studio with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen.
The series will follow would-be boxers from training camp through challenges in the ring over 16 episodes, with the winner getting $1 million and the chance to become a professional prize fighter. The boxers will fight one another in a weekly elimination process similar to other reality shows. Producers haven’t decided the weight class of the boxers yet.
Stallone said he will jump into the ring during the series and spar with some of the boxers. He believes the show will give boxers a Rockyesque chance at their dream.
“The door is now wide open again for you to have the opportunity to walk through it,” Stallone said, speaking to potential contestants.
Both he and Burnett expressed disenchantment with professional boxing today, saying the sport is often misrepresented on many fronts and has too many federations.
– Craig Zablo
Sly may step in ‘Contenders’ ring
Tue Feb 24, 7:00 PM ET
MICHAEL SCHNEIDER
(Variety) A “Rocky” boxing match on NBC? Sylvester Stallone (news) hinted he might just suit up and get into the ring himself for the Peacock’s upcoming reality show “The Contender.”
Stallone and Mark Burnett traveled to downtown’s Los Angeles Boxing Club on Tuesday to reveal details behind the boxing-themed series.
According to Burnett, contestants will be put through a variety of challenges, leading up to a fight at the end of each episode — with the loser going home. The ultimate “Contender” will receive a $1 million prize and will likely emerge as the marquee star behind a new boxing federation created especially for the show.
Stallone said he partnered with Burnett and DreamWorks partner Jeffrey Katzenberg to create “The Contender” after getting fed up with the state of pro boxing.
“I think there is a great deal of mismanagement in boxing today,” Stallone said. “I think the finest talent does not rise to the surface. Quite often the compromises that a fighter has to make through his managers to get in a position of competition is not quite worth it for them. So we have been I think, deprived of some new fresh talent.”
Stallone called the system Burnett and Katzenberg worked out “revolutionary.” “We welcome (fighters) to step forward who believe they have not been given a fair shake, who believe they do have the talent,” he said.
Burnett said he planned to cast a wide net for “The Contender,” and would even welcome non-English-speaking contestants. “We’ll use subtitles,” he said. “I think that’s interesting.” The producer said he’d even be willing to include contestants with criminal pasts, as long as they’ve “paid their dues.”
Contestants will also technically become professional boxers by participating in the show, because they will be paid during the show and will be fighting. Also, Burnett and Stallone said the contestants will all come from the same weight class, but the producers haven’t decided whether that will be heavyweight, welterweight or lightweight.
As part of the deal, NBC is giving up six 30-second spots to producers, who will then sell the spots and split any profits with the network. Burnett said he would work closely with NBC’s sales team to market the spots and strike product integration deals, but had no plans to link with a media buyer.
NBC honcho Jeff Zucker introduced the producers; also in attendance was Stallone’s brother Frank, who may also work on the show.
As for hopping into the ring, Stallone said “definitely” – and recounted the time he got into the ring with Joe Frazier. “I would say including the count, the fight was 14 seconds,” he said. “I considered him the hardest puncher in the world.”
Copyright © 2003 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. Variety is a registered trademark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc. and used under license. All Rights Reserved.
– Craig Zablo
Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes sent in the above item which appears in the February 23, 2004 issue of People.
Thanks, Jazz! – Craig Zablo