London, Oct 17 (IANS): Actor Hugh Jackman says he was inspired by the music of Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky", when he was getting fit for the role as a boxer in "Real Steel".

"My favourite boxing movie is a documentary called 'When We Were Kings', which I would put in my top 10 of all time, but I love all the 'Rocky' movies. I'll be honest, and I know it's corny, but I listen to the 'Rocky' theme when I'm training," Jackman told Bang Showbiz.

"Real Steel' director Shawn Levy also admits that the "Rocky" movies played a part in the way he made the film, despite not holding them all in high regard, reports contactmusic.com.

"I didn't go into it thinking of it as a homage to any single movie, I love sports movies and I always have, specifically the 'Rocky' movies. Not only the first one, where as a filmmaker I am supposed to revere and do - but even the pulpier, slightly crappier ones, like three and four - I love them too!

"You can laugh about it, but that rousing, escapist, underdog story, I loved it when I was a young teenager and I love it now. I re-watched all of them when preparing for this movie, and it still works for me.

"So in that regard, I really do believe that a well-made, engaging, underdog sports movie can be as compelling for adults as it can be for kids, so the goal was to make a movie that would appeal to both of those levels."