Sly Stallone to attend BWAA dinner

21/04/2006

Sly Stallone to attend BWAA dinner

Press Release: Sylvester Stallone, creator and star of the award-winning motion picture "Rocky," will receive the first award given out by the Boxing Writers Association of America for lifetime cinematic achievement in boxing. Stallone will accept the award at the organization's 81st annual Awards dinner on May 5, 2006 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Tickets to the event are on sale now.  Stallone, who soared to superstardom in the role as unheralded and undaunted pug Rocky Balboa in the three-time Academy Award-winning 1976 film, will be presented with a specially commissioned piece from renowned Philadelphia sculptor Carl LeVotch. "People accept Rocky Balboa as authentic," Stallone told the BWAA when informed of his award. "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. Stallone is one of many who will be honored on boxing's most prestigious night, when the BWAA's annual awards are bestowed, including Ricky Hatton as Fighter of the Year, Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo for Fight of the Year, Dan Birmingham for Trainer of the Year and Alan Haymon for Manager of the Year among others. Numerous current and former champions will be in attendance for the formal affair.  Tickets to the awards dinner are available to the public and may be purchased by calling (212) 253-9940. You may also visit www.bwaa.org or call the BWAA Hotline at (212) 969-0401 for additional information.