Soccer-I'm a fighter like Rocky, says Juve coach Ferrara

MILAN Jan 12 (Reuters) - Under-pressure Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara compared himself to fictional boxer Rocky on Tuesday and acknowledged defeat by Napoli in Wednesday's Italian Cup last 16 could be the knockout blow which ends his tenure.

Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by AC Milan was Juve's fourth loss in five matches in all competitions, prompting media reports linking Russia coach Guus Hiddink with the Turin club.

"One of my friends, one of the few I have at the moment, said to me, 'you are like Rocky'. I am full of punches and blood but I say to my opponent, I am not hurt, punch harder because you are not hurting me," Ferrara told a news conference.

"There is nothing that could knock me down, my mother punched harder."

A long meeting between club bosses, players and staff delayed his news conference by two hours and the rookie coach knows his time may soon be up.

"I know the thoughts of the club but likewise I am big enough to understand the destiny of a coach is linked to results," said Ferrara.

"If it meant the sacking of the coach I would not take it like a defeat. I would take it as a learning point in my evolution as a coach."

(Reporting by Mark Meadows and Antonella Ciancio, editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)