Yo, Philly! Rocky still loves ya

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Sylvester Stallone isn't pulling any punches this time: Rocky Balboa is going out like a champ.

After ''Rocky V'' left Stallone feeling as if the movie series had hit the canvas, he loves the way the latest _ and final _ film allows some cinematic closure for the gritty Philly fighter.

''I wasn't happy with the fifth one,'' Stallone said Monday night at Lincoln Financial Field where the Eagles played Carolina. ''I think this one is real satisfying for the people who like Rocky.''

All the freezing front-row fans at Monday night's game still seemed to love Philly's favorite fictional son, chanting ''Rocky! ''Rocky!'' at Stallone during pregame warmups. It's the kind of reception the actor _ or is it character _ receives everywhere in Philadelphia, from short waves to the fans or a statue dedication. Even former Eagles player Hugh Douglas dropped in to the TV broadcast booth to meet Stallone.

''Philadelphia's been like a real safe haven for me,'' Stallone said. ''The reason I'm here today is because of Philadelphia. They just backed the film. It was a real perfect blend of the character, which really represented the people of Philadelphia. It just was a lucky accident it all came together.''

Stallone said this movie shows an older Rocky, who is reluctant to get back in the ring but ends up fighting just to compete, not necessarily to win. Old pal Paulie is back, but Rocky's been growing apart from his son. One crucial character does not return, though somehow she still gives The Italian Stallion the added inspiration to fight for the title one more time.

No Adrian!

''We realize it never goes away. Life is always going to be a battle,'' Stallone said. ''You expect it to get easy as you get older. It doesn't. It's how does he cope, how has he tried to put together new friends? He's starting out without his wife. He's full of grief.''

Stallone, who said he's now working on finding locations for another ''Rambo'' flick, is hoping for a successful comeback for the one-time A-list action star with a hefty box office purse when the film opens Dec. 22

''We see it like a rebirth,'' Stallone said. ''Certainly not the way he was in 'Rocky I,' but an older, wiser guy.''