Eunan O'Kane says Bournemouth's battle for Premier League survival is being inspired by boxing film "Rocky" and actor Sylvester Stallone.
The winger, who this week made his Premier League debut and earned his first senior call-up with the Republic of Ireland, was part of the Bournemouth squad that visited Philadelphia during preseason.
The American city was the setting for "Rocky," the Oscar-winning film that proved the making of Stallone and was inspired by real-life world heavyweight title contender Chuck Wepner. In it, Rocky, played by Stallone, completes the remarkable rise of almost beating the world heavyweight champion having been an unremarkable club fighter.
O'Kane and his teammates learnt of both the film's story and about Stallone's life while in Philadelphia and the winger believes that they parallel Bournemouth's, who in recent years have swiftly gone from almost exiting the Football League to the richest division in the world.
"The manager [Eddie Howe] was a little bit surprised that some of the boys hadn't actually seen it before,'' said O'Kane, 25. "But while we were there we learnt a little bit about Sylvester Stallone. There was a few comparisons made from his story to Bournemouth's as a whole.
"The attitude that he had in his career, that got him to where he is, it was a great experience to go there and see it.
"It was quite a nice day to go there to see [the Philadelphia steps]. We learnt a little bit, and hopefully we can take something from him and move forward this year.
"After watching the film I think you want to come out and fight someone. If Mike Tyson was there I'd have a go at him.''
Bournemouth on Saturday travel to Upton Park to face West Ham, who are without suspended goalkeeper Adrian. In his absence O'Kane's fellow Ireland international Darren Randolph, who has conceded 16 goals in three fixtures against Bournemouth, is expected to deputise.
Continuing the Rocky theme, O'Kane said: "Hopefully we'll still be swinging at the end of the West Ham game.
"We had a meeting in Philadelphia before we went to view the steps, about [Stallone's] story.
"There's parts of it where you think: 'To go through that is a huge level of commitment'. It also shows you that if you put the dedication and commitment in, and you stick to your beliefs, you can be rewarded in the end, and that's something we'll try to do this season.
"The story touched a few of the boys and gave them that inspiration to go and learn about it.''