Rocky Balboa famously went head to head in a boxing grudge match against Ivan Drago, to avenge the death of his best friend Apollo Creed in Rocky IV.
And 32 years on from their iconic match in the Soviet Union, actors Sylvester Stallone, 71, and Dolph Lundgren, 60, reunited for a friendly snap and showed they had barely aged a day since they toughed it out in the ring in the mid 1980s.
Showing they were worlds away from their stoic on-screen appearances the muscular pair posed arm in arm with each adopting a boxing pose as they smiled gleefully for the camera.
Packing a punch! 32 years on from their iconic match in Rocky IV, actors Sylvester Stallone, 71, and Dolph Lundgren, 60, reunited for a friendly snap and showed they had barely aged a day since they toughed it out in the ring in the mid 1980s
Grudge match: Rocky Balboa famously went head to head in a boxing grudge match against Ivan Drago, to avenge the death of his best friend Apollo Creed in Rocky IV
A youthful Sly, who has twice been nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of the Philadelphia underdog Rocky, flaunted his hunky frame in a tight black t-shirt and rocked slicked back salt and pepper locks as he smiled.
And a strapping Dolph, who transformed into steroid-taking Russian Olympic gold medallist Ivan Drago for the film, also revealed his radiant complexion as he mirrored Sly’s pose.
The Swedish star revealed his rippling arms muscles and taut midriff in a red t-shirt and wore his blonde locks in a side-parting.
Despite the cheery smiles, it was a very different story when the pair met on-screen in 1985, with hulking Ivan beating Rocky’s best friend and mentor Apollo Creed to death in the ring.
Settle a score: Despite the cheery smiles, it was a very different story when the pair met on-screen in 1985, with hulking Ivan beating Rocky’s best friend and mentor Apollo Creed to death in the ring before Rocky challenged Ivan to a grudge match
A powerless Rocky, who was told not to throw in the towel by Apollo, blamed himself for the death and vowed to take on the terrifying 6ft5 Russian boxer to avenge his death.
Ivan showed no remorse in the aftermath of the killing, memorably telling reporters ‘if he dies, he dies.’
Rocky, who famously said Drago would have to kill him to beat him, travelled to the USSR to train for the 15 round grudge match, which took place on Christmas Day,
The fourth installment in the acclaimed franchise was an instant success, gaining millions of fans all over the world with its training montages, explosive storyline and inspirational quotes