I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in the world. Years ago, who would have thought that Hollywood would be knocking on my door, not once, twice or three times, but four times? By no means have I ever said I was an actor, but being a recognizable cutman in boxing and with the UFC has opened these doors for me. 

The movie bug hit me with my first appearance as a cutman in Play It To The Bone with Woody Harrelson and Antonio Banderas. Next, I had a small part in the fight scene with Wladamir Klitschko and Lennox Lewis in Ocean’s 11. I would have been satisfied with these two movies.

They were both awesome experiences and more than I could have asked for, but then I get a call to play myself in the final Rocky movie, Rocky Balboa. At first, I turned it down because of a boxing show in Paris and then another show in London a week later with the British Olympic super-heavyweight gold medalist Audley Harrison.

I remember telling my wife about the offer. “Get this, Charlotte, I got offered a part in the final Rocky movie, but I had to turn it down because I’m working during filming.”

“You’re crazy!” my wife Charlotte said, “Rocky is an American icon. You have to do the movie!” I reconsidered and became part of Rocky’s history.

Then at a UFC show in Las Vegas, Frank Coraci, director for the Kevin James movie, Here Comes The Boom told me he and actor and MMA fan Kevin James wanted me to be in his movie. I instantly said yes, and gave Frank my card. The filming took place at the same arena in Lowell, Massachusetts where the Micky Ward movie, The Fighter was filmed.

The final fight scenes took two weeks to shoot. I spent this time with MMA personalities Herb Dean, Bruce Buffer, Mark DellaGrotte, Krzysztof Soszynski, and my friend Bas Rutten. Whilst Hollywood was represented by superstars Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler and, of course, Kevin James.

Just like a big-time actor, we had our own trailer and went through wardrobe and make-up every morning. The hours were long, 14–18 per day, but fun. Each scene took four or five different shoots. I have all the respect in the world for everyone involved in making this movie a success. 

When Kevin and Frank invited me and my family to see the first screening of the movie I was blown away with how well it was put together. The hundreds of hours of filming where compacted into about two hours of laughs, tears and great action fight scenes.

I was also impressed with the great job Bas Rutten did in playing his role as a trainer. He was such a natural and had me laughing throughout the whole movie. Expect to see Bas in many more roles in ‘A’ level Hollywood movies. DellaGrotte and Soszynski also did outstanding jobs in their roles as Kevin’s trainer and Kevin’s opponent respectively. 

After trimming something like 60 pounds for the movie, Kevin James did a superb and convincing job as a real mixed martial artist. I had known for years he trained regularly with Bas and others, and as a huge UFC fan to boot, he was perfect for this role.

I also have to give Kevin special thanks for including me. It was an honor to be in this movie. As in a regular fight, my moments in the movie are short, but memorable. The part where I started working on Kevin after his toe-to-toe fight with Krzysztof is priceless. The dialogue he wrote into the script in relation to me is worth a million dollars. To receive a compliment like this in a major Hollywood movie is more than I could ever imagine. 

I have been very fortunate throughout my career. Part of it might be luck, but I think that always working hard and striving to reach my dreams no matter the circumstances have helped lead to these great opportunities. I wish more people would wholeheartedly follow their dreams and live by the mantra of, ‘It’s not if it will happen, but when,’ because they would then get great and unexpected opportunities as well.

My wife was right, Rocky is an American icon and the reactions I get from fans worldwide that have seen the movie still amaze me.

But I am convinced those same fans will also enjoy Here Comes The Boom as much as I enjoyed being part of the cast. Will this be my last movie? I hope not.