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He's the Eye of the Tiger

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Phil Villarreal

To say that Rocky has always been a hero of mine is a gigantic understatement.

Consider the following:

I own all V movies in the Rocky movie series. My copy of "Rocky II" is so worn down that I can hardly make out Apollo Creed's mini-afro anymore.

When watching Rocky III as a four-year-old in 1982, I cried when Mr.T knocked him out in the second round of their first fight.

Unlike most people in civilized society, I liked Rocky V.

So in June, I was thrilled when I heard rumors that a Rocky VI was in the making. I started jumping around and yelling.

And you don't even want to know what I did when I found out that MGM would grant me an interview with Rocky Balboa himself.

I met the former heavyweight champion of the world on Monday at the threshold of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, right by the famous Rocky statue.

Phil: So, Rock, what have you been doing the past nine years since Rocky V was released?

Rocky: Yo, it's been pretty slow. I've just been training, ya know, tryin' ta stay in shape - like. Takin' care of the kid, ya know - Rocky Junior. He's in college now. Goin' ta LaSalle. He's a smart kid. That kid has a left cross like his old man, too. The kid needs ta get in the ring - he'd be somethin' special...

Phil: Rock, that's great about your son, but you didn't answer my question.

Rocky: Oh - hey-yo. Sorry about that. It's just like I'm so proud of little Rocky, ya-know? As for me, I haven't been sparrin' so much lately. I've been havin' some strange dreams, though, like hangin' from cliffs and workin' in a city full a cops. Crazy stuff.

Phil: So will there be a Rocky VI?

Rocky: Absolutely.

Phil: What will you be doing in the sixth movie?

Rocky: I kinda don't wanna say just yet, to no reporters, ya know. This I'll tell ya - I'll either train some young kid like I did in the fifth film or maybe I'll make one last comeback in the ring.

Phil: Like George Foreman?

Rocky: Like who? Yeah, my forearms are just fine thanks.

Phil: Uh... So you might fight again, huh? But Rock! You were 30 years old when you fought Apollo for the first time in 1976. That would make you - what - 53? Fifty-four by the time the movie would be released! Aren't you afraid you could get hurt? I mean, Ivan Drago gave you brain damage in Rocky IV!

Rocky: I'm a fighter. That's what I do. Yo, Adrienne. I never asked you to stop being a woman. Why you gotta ask me to stop being a man?

Phil: Rocky - I'm not a woman, Rock. I'm just a reporter. That was the line you used on Adrienne in Rocky IV.

Rocky: Yo - what are you doin' listenin' to me talk to my lady? I oughtta punch you out, you crum-bum!

Phil (ducking under a slow right hook): Save it for the movie, Rock. We'll all be watching.