Sylvester Stallone’s Involvement in Former World Champion’s Relationship With Renowned Actress Nia Long Unraveled on Mike Tyson’s Podcast

Published 04/03/2024, 5:46 AM EDT

In the ring, Antonio Tarver was a force. Known for knocking Roy Jones Jr. off his pedestal, his boxing prowess is legendary. Outside the ring, his encounters are equally fascinating, especially one involving renowned actress Nia Long. Known for her roles in films like ‘Boyz n the Hood‘ and ‘The Best Man,’ Long’s acting career has captivated audiences for decades.

But what connects a former world champion boxer and a celebrated actress? Enter Mike Tyson’s ‘Hotboxin’ podcast and an unexpected storyteller. Sylvester Stallone, the ‘Rocky’ legend himself played a surprising role in this tale. How did Stallone bridge the worlds between Tarver and Long?

Antonio Tarver shoots his shot with Nia Long at the BET awards

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DJ Whoo Kid ignited curiosity with his mention of Tarver’s brief connection to Nia Long. “You dated Nia Long, That’s crazy,” he exclaimed. Tarver delved into the story. “I mean, for a little while. It wasn’t like we were together, but we just, you know what happened, bro,” he began.

The tale took us back to the 2006 BET Awards in Los Angeles, a city buzzing with stars and dreams. Tarver, fresh off his cinematic endeavors, spotted Long. Despite possibly being star-struck, he approached her, a bold move met with rejection. “She gave me the Heisman Trophy at that time,” Tarver humorously recounted, symbolizing the polite but firm dismissal he received.

The narrative took an intriguing turn the following day on the set of Rocky Balboa in which Tarver himself was working as Mason ‘The Line’ Dixon. Tarver shared his frustration with Stallone, lamenting over the complexities of LA’s dating scene. “I said, man, what’s up with these women in LA, they don’t recognize the Champ or whatnot,” Tarver voiced his bruised ego. Stallone, ever the mentor, listened intently. Then, in an unexpected twist of fate, Stallone orchestrated a serendipitous moment.

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“Well, lo and behold, like four or five days later, we’re in the gym, in the ring working, training, we’re practicing the lines and shit in the ring, the steps,” Tarver set the scene. The anticipation built as Stallone called Long over, inviting her onto the set. “He had invited Nia on set, bro,” Tarver revealed. “He personally introduced us,” Tarver concluded, a testament to Stallone’s role in bridging their worlds, however momentarily. In the same podcast they talked about life lessons.

Mike Tyson drops the facade

Mike Tyson shifted the tone of the conversation with Antonio Tarver towards personal growth and introspection. “Listen, can I keep it real with you? I used to be bulls*ing. I know life has a bigger f**k you hand than me,” Tyson confessed, shedding light on his journey from invincibility to vulnerability.

Acknowledging his past arrogance, Tyson admitted, “I used to be talking st, thinking I was harder.” His realization came crashing down as life’s challenges humbled him, compelling him to declare, “Then life hit me and life said f**k you.” This admission of a wake-up call, punctuated by Tarver’s empathetic “Wake up call man,” underscored a profound shift in Tyson’s perspective, revealing a side of him that embraced humility and the lessons learned from life’s unforgiving nature.

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So, as we navigate our paths, how often do we mask our vulnerabilities behind a facade of strength? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Written by:

Mrinal Mishra is a senior writer for Boxing at EssentiallySports. With over 1300+ articles to his name, Mrinal’s articles often find congratulatory mentions from boxing greats like Mia St. John.

Edited by:

Arijit Saha

Sylvester Stallone’s Involvement in Former World Champion’s Relationship With Renowned Actress Nia Long Unraveled on Mike Tyson’s Podcast

Antonio Tarver shoots his shot with Nia Long at the BET awards

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