Wednesday 13 January 2016 14:34, UK
Liverpool cruiserweight Tony Bellew is 'like a professional' actor according to legendary Rocky star Sylvester Stallone.
Bellew (26-2-1-KO16) and Stallone attended the European premiere of their new film 'Creed' in London on Tuesday night, and there was high praise for the former British, Commonwealth and European champion's film debut.
The 69-year-old Stallone, who reprises his role as Rocky Balboa - the lead character in boxing's favourite film series - was particularly effusive when assessing Bellew's skills, as you can hear in the video above.
Originally, I thought it was a hoax, a prank. I thought it was Leon Osman getting Ross Barkley to do his dirty work.
Bellew himself was excited on the red carpet, saying: "I'm still waiting for someone to pinch me and wake me up.
"Originally, I thought it was a hoax, a prank. I thought it was Leon Osman getting Ross Barkley to do his dirty work. The more it went on, I stuck with it and didn't tell anybody besides by my missus, father and right-hand man.
"I had the world on my shoulders but just got the job done. I stayed focused, true to myself. The best way of describing how it was working with Sly is like working with Caesar in Rome.
"No matter how much people say I've acted well, I have to give all props to the director Ryan Coogler. Without him, I could not have done it."
While he has enjoyed his stint as a Hollywood star, Bellew is keen to turn his attentions back to boxing. He said: "Ultimately, I need to be a world champion. I've won, British, Commonwealth, European and beaten a former world champion."
