FAN2FAN Podcast: Craig Zablo Talking Stallone Interview Part 1

The Fan To Fan (F2F) podcast with hosts Bernie Gonzalez, Peter Charbonneau and Doug Ziegler takes a simple idea and does it well.  Each episode of F2F features a conversation between fans.  The subject could be movies, comics, TV, video games, toys, cartoons, or anything pop culture! Bernie, Peter and Doug pick a fan with a love and/or knowledge of the episode’s topic and then do a deep dive.

Recently, the F2F team spoke with me about Sly Stallone.  When I was approached to be a guest, I explained that there are Stallone fans with greater knowledge and bigger collections than mine.  Still, they were interested in how I became a Stallone fan, the creation of StalloneZone and more.  I was already a fan of  Bernie’s Midnight Mystery, so I checked out F2F and became a fan of it as well.

Talking to Bernie, Pete and Doug was a blast.  It was truly fans hanging out.  Here’s part one of the conversation.  I hope you enjoy it half as much as I did.

“Rocky” – The Greatest Underdog Story of Our Time by Mike Lynaugh

Click on the poster above by Mike Lynaugh and admire the detail that he put in it.  Mike captured Rocky’s story from Rocky through Creed.  All of Rocky’s opponents are there including Spider Rico and Thunderlips.  Butkus is shown.  Rocky’s address and Mighty Mick’s gym appear.

Click over to Mike’s Instagram where he writes of the time he spent on the painting.  What a true Rocky fan!!

Sly and the Family Stallone News for the Week

Sly and the Family Stallone News for the Week:

Sly and the Family Stallone News for the Week

Sly and the Family Stallone News for the Week:

“Rocky” by Liam Proniewicz!

Liam Proniewicz created the poster for Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky series above.  I like how Proniewwicz took a classic image and made it his own.

Liam Proniewicz is a British artist/designer whose clients have included Netflix, Lionsgate, BBC and Sky.  Proniewicz’s website contains many examples of his work.  Fans will be happy to hear that there are also dozens of prints available.

Sly and the Family Stallone News for the Week

Sly and the Family Stallone News for the Week:

Ranking All “Rocky” Fights From Worst to First!

DekeDasilva (from the StalloneZone forum) posted a link to Ranking The Various ROCKY Fights: From Worst To First at ActioNews.  Several forum members weighed in and it got me thinking about how I would rank Rocky’s fights from the franchise.  So here are my rankings compared to those at ActioNews and my thoughts on each…

ActioNews

Craig

9. Rocky vs Tommy Gunn (Rocky V, 1990)

9. Rocky vs Tommy Gunn (Rocky V, 1990)

8. Rocky vs. Thunderlips (Rocky III, 1982)

8. Apollo Creed vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985)

7. Apollo Creed vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985)

7. Rocky vs Clubber Lang, 1st fight (Rocky III, 1982)

6. Rocky vs Clubber Lang, 1st fight (Rocky III, 1982)

6. Rocky vs Mason Dixon (Rocky Balboa, 2006)

5. Rocky vs Mason Dixon (Rocky Balboa, 2006)

5. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, Rematch (Rocky II, 1979)

4. Rocky vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985)

4. Rocky vs. Thunderlips (Rocky III, 1982)

3. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, 1st fight (Rocky, 1976)

3. Rocky vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985)

2. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, Rematch (Rocky II, 1979)

2. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, 1st fight (Rocky, 1976)

1. Rocky Vs Clubber Lang, Rematch (Rocky III, 1982)

1. Rocky Vs Clubber Lang, Rematch (Rocky III, 1982)

9. Rocky vs Tommy Gunn (Rocky V, 1990): All of the fights in the Rocky franchise are well done, and while this one came in last, it is still entertaining. It did feel a bit out of place since all the other battles took place in the ring.

8. Apollo Creed vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985): I enjoyed Creed’s fight against Drago better in Sly’s director’s cut, but the fact that Apollo dies makes it hard to rank this fight higher.

7. Rocky vs Clubber Lang, 1st fight (Rocky III, 1982): This fight was short but not sweet. Rocky gets knocked out and Mickey dies.

6. Rocky vs Mason Dixon (Rocky Balboa, 2006): Rocky proves his still has the “Eye of the Tiger”.

5. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, Rematch (Rocky II, 1979): What a fight and what a finish!

4. Rocky vs. Thunderlips (Rocky III, 1982): While this wasn’t a boxing match, I love it. Rocky is definitely the underdog – the size difference is amazing. The fight has humor, drama and is exciting from start to finish.

3. Rocky vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985): Rocky has never had a more personal reason to fight and has never fought in a more hostile environment, yet he still finds the will to win.

2. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, 1st fight (Rocky, 1976): The fight that kicked off the entire franchise. Rocky was given no chance to win the title, but all he wanted to do was be standing when the final bell rang. Surprisingly (because it’s a movie and heroes are expected to win) Rocky loses, yet the audience is standing and cheering!

1. Rocky Vs Clubber Lang, Rematch (Rocky III, 1982): Rocky is going against a warrior who destroyed him in the first fight. He’s lost Mickey and perhaps “the Eye of the Tiger”. Will Apollo’s training and Adrian’s heart-to-heart provide the motivation to win? (You better believe it!)