Lifetime Cinematic Achievement in Boxing SYLVESTER STALLONE Sylvester Stallone, creator and star of the award-winning motion picture "Rocky," and five sequels, received an unprecedented honor from the Boxing Writers Association of America in May, accepting the the first BWAA award for lifetime cinematic achievement in boxing. The American icon, who soared to superstardom in the role as unheralded and undaunted pug Rocky Balboa in the three-time Academy Award-winning 1976 film, was presented with a specially commissioned piece from renowned Philadelphia sculptor Carl LeVotch. "People accept Rocky Balboa as authentic," Stallone told the BWAA. "I can't tell you how many people have come up to me and asked about my boxing career. It's like they really want to believe that Rocky exists. "You know, I'm amazed by all of this. At one time I thought people would get over (their fascination with the character) and move on. Didn't happen. After 30 years, Rocky has taken hold to a degree I never could have imagined." Stallone has written and starred in six "Rocky" films. The latest edition, "Rocky Balboa," is in postproduction and is scheduled for a Christmas release. Stallone also is executive producer of the boxing reality television series "The Contender."

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