Rudy “Mouthpiece Doctor” Tellez On “Grudge Match” Set
“And the NEW World Boxing Council Champion is…by way of TriBeCa…ROBERT DE NIRO!” Or is it a draw with fellow cinema champ SYLVESTER STALLONE?
The big news among movie buffs is that the two actors will face off onscreen for the upcoming “Grudge Match,” to be released in theaters in early 2014.
But in my special sneak preview, the “Chatter Box” can reveal some exclusive behind-the-scenes info on what the comedy will entail in regards to some championship hardware that will be featured in the film–and the scoop about how serious the actors are in wearing authentic boxing equipment including custom mouth guards.
So what will happen when the “Raging Bull” locks horns with “Rocky”? Who will prevail when the popular Italian Stallion takes on the “Taxi Driver” and “Meet the Fockers” icon that is the one and only Robert De Niro?
One thing is for certain: these two heavy hitters will be wearing custom and authentic mouthpieces–and could also be vying for a special edition of the famed green and gold WBC championship belt. Here’s the scoop!
I met with Rudy “The Mouthpiece Doctor” Tellez and pro female boxer Katarina De La Cruz at the Santa Monica location where Rudy was scheduled to meet De Niro for a fitting of an additional black gum shield. Tellez has been involved in the sport for decades and has worked in almost every position in the sweet science. The California Boxing Hall of Famer is also the founder of the Alhambra Youth Boxing Club. I’ve known Rudy for several years now and have witnessed his work as a WBC Supervisor. He is also involved with the nonprofit WBC Cares organization and the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum.
His passion for boxing hasn’t faded through the years, ever since his early beginnings at the storied Main Street Gym. He loves the sweet science and has worked consistently in this field.
On a crisp morning near the beach, I chat with Rudy and Katarina before they head into the impromptu studio location where De Niro will be filming pickup shots that day.
Tellez says he enjoys working with both amateur and pro fighters and has fitted hundreds upon hundreds of champs and contenders through his mouthpiece business. He showed me part of the careful and painstaking process and the various steps it takes to make a durable and quality mouthpiece. The doctor pulls out plaster molds (with imprints of De Niro’s teeth) as he preps for the day. He shows me some special WBC items he’s planning on presenting to the actor including a WBC Cares T-shirt and patches.
“I really love being part of the WBC,” Rudy explains. “Jose Sulaiman and Mauricio Sulaiman have been great; I’m very proud to represent the WBC.”
Tellez and De La Cruz spent several hours on the “Grudge Match” set and during filming breaks, the two were able to meet with De Niro. Rudy was entrusted with the fitting of Bob’s mouthpiece; he had previously made different versions for the filming in New Orleans. Tellez has met with the “The Godfather” legend twice now and he tells me how down to earth the thespian is.
“He’s a friendly, normal guy,” Rudy notes. “We talked about boxing and how he’s going to be working on another boxing movie later this year. He’s going to play Ray Arcel in the Roberto Duran movie.”
This is another boxing film that I know will be a “must-see” for me. De Niro will step into the role of trainer Ray Arcel in “Hands of Stone.” The cast looks very interesting too as I see that “True Blood” star Ryan Kwanten will play Scottish boxer Ken Buchanan and singer and “The Voice” coach Usher will become Sugar Ray Leonard.
But before “Hands of Stone” gets underway, I’ll keep the focus on the filming of “Grudge Match” with De Niro and Stallone.
Rudy also met with Sly Stallone last week for a mouthpiece fitting for follow-up scenes.
Word is the duo will play ring rivals who agree to meet 50 years after their first bout. De Niro portrays Billy “The Kid” McGuigan while Stallone plays his nemesis Henry “Razor” Sharp.
During his appointments with the actors, Rudy brought a “FECARBOX” version of the World Boxing Council leather but in the movies, the pair may be vying for a very special version of the title belt.
WBC/NABF’s Jill Diamond shares a couple of details about the pairing of the WBC with “Grudge Match.”
“Our involvement came through our WBC Cares Ambassador, Rudy Tellez. We never turn down an opportunity to help those who shine a light on our sport, so we offered the movie our WBC merchandise and created a special jewel-encrusted WBC world title belt for them,” Jill tells me. “It’s our privilege to be involved with De Niro and Stallone, men who have long been part of the community. It’s our hope to sell the WBC trophies used in the film for the recently created WBC Boxer’s Pension Fund.”
Which cinema warrior wins the WBC championship strap? We will just have to wait and see on the big screen.
For now, Rudy raves about both of the actors’ dedication and their love of boxing. And fighter Katarina De La Cruz was jazzed about meeting one of her heroes, Robert De Niro.
“When I met him, I had my mouthpiece with me,” Kat laughs. “So I asked Mr. De Niro if he could put his mouthpiece in for a photo with me! He’s the nicest guy and it was very exciting to be able to meet him.”
De Niro proves to be a good sport, a great actor and the best ambassador for boxing. A class act in and out of the ring.
Check out some snapshots from the day of Rudy, Kat and the actors and look for “Grudge Match” on the big screen soon!
Photos by Rudy Tellez, Katarina De La Cruz and Michele Chong
I wonder how much “sanctioning fee” money the WBC/Suliaman will charge DeNiro and Stallone for all the future motion pictures they appear in. I think that both DeNiro and sly made BIG mistake$ accepting those “championship” belts. Oh well….
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