Sylvester Stallone has recalled a heated incident involving his father, Frank Stallone Sr., who appeared as the bell ringer during Rocky’s climactic boxing match. Stallone said he had hoped the cameo would make his father proud, but the bell was rung late, disrupting the carefully choreographed fight and leading to a serious altercation on set.

Stallone described his father as cold, tough and prone to explosive outbursts, saying their relationship remained difficult until they reconciled shortly before Frank Sr.’s death in 2011. He discussed the memories while promoting his memoir The Steps, due on 23 October; a biopic about the making of Rocky, I Play Rocky, is scheduled for cinema release on 6 November.