By Jackie Kallen

I am shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Sylvester Stallone’s 36 year old son Sage. It was so sudden and unexpected that no one in the family had time to prepare for the horrible news. Friends had said that Sage was the happiest he’d been in years, was busy with his career, and had plans to get married.

Movie fans remember Sage as the young son of Rocky in the Rocky V movie back in 1990. He played Rocky Balboa, jr., who was jealous of his dad’s new protege Tommy Gunn, played by Tommy Morrison. He was involved in another dozen film projects after that. He also played with Bloodlust, a rock band.

Back when I was on “The Contender” on NBC with Sly, he’d often talk about Sage and his three beautiful daughters with Jennifer Flavin. Sage was the son of Sly and his first wife Sasha. He was also Sly’s firstborn child. Sage has a 33-year old brother Seargeoh, who is autistic.

Though the cause is believed to be a drug overdose, no one is saying whether it was accidental or intentional. According to TMZ.com, he was found dead by a housekeeper and paramedics were unable to revive him.

“Expendables 2” is set to be released on August 17. I imagine it will be difficult for Sly to go out and promote it after this terrible tragedy. I remember the premier for “Rocky Balboa” in 2006. Sage was there and seemed so proud of his dad. He was a handsome kid who had dreams of being a producer/director. He recently directed his first short film, “Vic”, which made it to the Palm Springs Film Festival.

With his six Rocky films, Sly Stallone has been a major part of the extended boxing family. He did so much for the sport and was recently inducted into the Boxing Hall of fame. The entire boxing community extends it’s prayers and sympathy to the Stallone Family. R.I.P., Sage.

Jackie Kallen is a boxing manager who has been in the business for over three decades. Her life inspired the Meg Ryan film “Against the Ropes” and she was a part of the NBC series “The Contender.” www.JackieKallen.com, www.facebook.com/JackieKallen

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