"opponent in a title fight, Rocky realizes he now has the chance to prove that he's not worthless. With Adrian's support and Mickey becoming his trainer and manager, Rocky fights for his self-respect. Soon after proving himself, even with a split decision loss to Apollo Creed, Rocky expects the good life to follow. He marries Adrian and begins spending the money he earned from the match. But after he fails at both endorsements and a series of low wage jobs, Rocky realizes the only way he can survive is to begin boxing again. Creed on the other hand, faces criticism"
"life, he rises to the top, but loses a title fight with Tony Zale. A person he knew in prison finds him and blackmails him into throwing a fight. Rocky fakes an injury and avoids the fight altogether. When he is interrogated by the district attorney, he refuses to name the blackmailer and has his license suspended. His manager gets him a fight in Chicago to fight Zale the middleweight champion, once more. Rocky wins the fight. The role of Rocky Graziano was originally to be played by James Dean, but he died before filming began, and Paul Newman was"
"rising through the ranks named James ""Clubber"" Lang. While unveiling a statue of himself at the stairway by the Philadelphia Museum of Art just prior to announcing his retirement, Rocky is publicly challenged by Lang, now the number-one contender. Lang accuses Rocky of intentionally accepting challenges from lesser opponents, and goads Rocky into accepting his challenge for a championship fight. Mickey initially wants no part of it. Pressed by Rocky, Mickey confesses that he handpicked the opponents for Rocky's title defenses in order to spare him from another beating of the kind that Creed gave him in their rematch. He"
"Rocky Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and both written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It tells the rags to riches American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated but kind-hearted working class Italian-American boxer working as a debt collector for a loan shark in the slums of Philadelphia. Rocky, a small-time club fighter, gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship. The film also stars Talia Shire as Adrian, Burt Young as Adrian's brother Paulie, Burgess Meredith as Rocky's trainer Mickey Goldmill, and Carl Weathers as the champion, Apollo Creed. The film,"
"Italian-American boxer working as a debt collector for Tony Gazzo (Spinell), a loan shark, in the slums of Philadelphia. In the meantime, the heavyweight champion of the world, Apollo Creed (Weathers) decides to give a local contender a chance to challenge him and settles for Rocky. As the drama unfolds, Gazzo eventually lets go of Rocky so that he can train for the fight. The film, made on a budget of just over $1 million, was a sleeper hit; it earned $225 million in global box office receipts, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1976, and went on to win three"
"exhibition match against the World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, ""Thunderlips"" (Hulk Hogan), with the match ending in a draw. However, in 1981, Rocky is challenged by an intense newcomer named James ""Clubber"" Lang (Mr. T), who has risen to the top of the rankings. Rocky begins having some issues with his trainer, Mickey Goldmill, due to his revelation of having faced ""hand-picked"" challengers that were ""good fighters, but not 'killers'"" which Lang seemingly is. Mickey insists that he would step down as Rocky's manager if he chooses to fight Lang, but Rocky convinces him to train him for one last match."
"to have been due to the fact that real punches were thrown by both Stallone and Tarver, resulting in some swelling and nosebleeds earlier than scripted. The DVD release features an alternate ending in which Rocky wins the fight. Composed by Academy Award winner Bill Conti, the ""Rocky Balboa"" film score is both an updated composition of ""Rocky"" music and a tribute to the music that has been featured in previous Rocky films. Conti, who has acted as composer on every Rocky film except ""Rocky IV"", chose to compose the score almost entirely from musical themes used in the previous"
"The ""Ring"" magazine belt in Rocky's basement and the identical belt Morrison wins in the ring have changed slightly from the previous movies; they are missing the four side panels showing famous champions (from left to right) Floyd Patterson, James J. Corbett, George Foreman, and James J. Braddock. Pro wrestling legend Terry Funk helped choreograph much of the street fight between Rocky and Tommy Gunn. Funk's name appears in the ending credits of the film. In the original script, Rocky is killed during the final fight with Tommy, dying in Adrian's arms in the street. Through most of the filming"
"but also a legitimate contender to the three major heavyweight titles sanctioned by the WBA, WBC and IBF. Morrison first agreed to defend his newly won title against his ""Rocky V"" co-star Michael Williams in what was billed as real-life Tommy Gunn vs. Union Cane (the characters that Morrison and Williams played in the film) matchup. However, Williams refused to leave his dressing room and Morrison was forced to face unknown journeyman Tim Tomashek in what ultimately became a non-title bout. Morrison then agreed to a lucrative WBC title shot against champion Lennox Lewis, but opted to defend his WBO"
"exhausts his energy trying to finish Rocky off with repeated knockout blows, which Rocky blocks or dodges. With Lang rattled and vulnerable, Rocky seizes the opportunity to finish off Lang with a flurry of punches culminated with a brutal knockout to reclaim the heavyweight championship. Afterwards, Rocky fulfills Apollo's favor: a private rematch with him at Mickey's gym. However, this time, they are fighting in the spirit of friendly competition rather than as fierce rivals. The film concludes with both fighters throwing their first punch simultaneously. In addition to the main cast several others had cameo appearances. Bill Baldwin and"
"to hit him. With Rocky, who did not take his training seriously leading into the fight, now distracted by his trainer's condition, Clubber knocks him out in two rounds to hand him his first defeat since Creed defeated him in 1976. Clubber's first defense of his newly won title comes against Rocky, who learns a newer style based on speed and finesse from Creed in training for the fight. The champion, expecting the same Rocky he fought the first time, has trouble with his new style and exhausts himself throwing a barrage of early power punches. With Clubber breathing heavily"
"Rocky: The Birth of a Classic"", due for release in 2019. The documentary will feature Sylvester Stallone narrating behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the film. Rocky Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and both written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It tells the rags to riches American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated but kind-hearted working class Italian-American boxer working as a debt collector for a loan shark in the slums of Philadelphia. Rocky, a small-time club fighter, gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship. The film also stars Talia"
"film, Rocky has successfully defended his title ten consecutive times, as the Balboas live a more extravagant life, and they move in Mickey, as well. Adrian, along with Rocky and Mickey, attended the unveiling of a bronze statue in honor of Balboa at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Jaded by the generosity of the city, Rocky announces his plan to retire from professional boxing. With the crowd in disbelief, Clubber Lang, a new rising star, comes forth and challenges Rocky. Mickey interferes for the sake of Rocky's well-being and leaves when he and his student reached a disagreement, Lang sexually"
"the first round, despite Rocky's orders to stop the fight. In the second round, Apollo continues to be brutally beaten by Drago, falling limp in the ring and dies. Feeling responsible for Apollo's death and riddled with guilt by Drago's cold indifference, Rocky decides to take on Drago himself, but to do so, he has to surrender his championship. Rocky travels to the cold mountains of Russia and undergoes rigorous training. After much-needed training, his match against Drago takes place on Christmas Day in Moscow. With Evers assuming the role as his new trainer, Rocky trains hard using old-school methods"
"and a half days, shortly after watching the championship match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner that took place at Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio on March 24, 1975. Wepner was TKO'd in the 15th round of the match by Ali, with few expecting him to last as long as he did. Despite the fact that the match motivated Stallone to begin work on ""Rocky"", he has subsequently denied that Wepner provided any inspiration for the script. Other possible inspirations for the film may have included characteristics of real-life boxers Rocky Marciano and Joe Frazier, as well as Rocky Graziano's"
"guys who participated in five Rocky films. The first time, it was declared a no-contest after 9 rounds, but in the second, Carlos prevailed, by a knockout in 9. 5 more wins followed, and then he met Johnny Busso, who handled Carlos his first loss, on a 10-round decision. That fight was held in New York, and in an immediate rematch between Ortiz and Busso, Carlos won, also by a 10-round decision, and also in New York. Next Carlos flew to England to meet Dave Charnley, who was considered one of the top challengers of that time. Ortiz won the"
"(just after Rocky announced his intention of retiring). On the night of the fight, Clubber taunts the champion in the hallway as they are walking to the ring and starts a fracas between the two camps, shoving Rocky's manager and trainer Mickey Goldmill so hard that he suffers a heart attack which later proves fatal (Mickey had shown signs of heart weakness earlier in the movie, and refused to go to a hospital until Rocky came back from the fight). He also angers the former champion Apollo Creed by refusing to shake his hand before the fight and challenging Creed"
"Rocky Balboa Robert ""Rocky"" Balboa is the title character of the ""Rocky"" film series. The character was created by Sylvester Stallone, who also portrayed him in all eight ""Rocky"" films. He is depicted as an everyman who started out by going the distance and overcoming obstacles that had occurred in his life and career as a professional boxer. While he is loosely based on Chuck Wepner, a one-time boxer who fought Muhammad Ali and lost on a TKO in the 15th round, the inspiration for the name, iconography and fighting style came from boxing legend Rocky Marciano. The character is"
"second round to Jim Jeffries, a boxer Ali had previously called ""history's clumsiest, most slow-footed heavyweight."" The lawsuit was settled when Woroner offered to pay Ali $10,000 whilst also getting his agreement to participate in a filmed version of a fantasy fight in which he would fight Marciano. Ali and Marciano agreed on the condition that they would also receive a cut of the film's profits. Marciano, whose last fight before retiring undefeated at 49–0 was 14 years prior, also agreed to participate with a similar deal. In preparation for the film, Rocky lost over and wore a toupee in"
"Rocky and knocking him out with a haymaker left hook in the second round, winning the heavyweight championship title. After the match, Rocky tells an exhausted Mickey that the match ended in a second round knockout without saying who the victor was. Mickey falsely believes Rocky won and then peacefully succumbs to his heart attack. Rocky, lapsing into severe depression, mourns over Mickey's death. Stopping by Mickey's closed gym, the forlorn Rocky encounters his former nemesis, Apollo Creed, who witnessed the match as a guest analyst. Creed offers to help train Rocky for a rematch against Lang in exchange for"
"local bar with a live television crew to goad Rocky into accepting a title fight. Rocky declines and tries to reason with him, but Gunn rebukes it and calls him weak, prompting Paulie to stand up for Rocky. When Gunn attacks Paulie, Rocky accepts the challenge, but tells him ""my ring is outside."" Despite Washington's warnings to keep the fight in the ring, Gunn accepts. During the fight, Rocky is seemingly beaten down before he hears the voice of Mickey urging him to get up and continue the fight, to go just ""one more round."" Rocky gets up and, with"
"from fans to overcome the fight. As a result, he publicly taunts Rocky into a rematch, for which Rocky trains once again with Mickey. In the fifteenth round, Rocky knocks Creed to the ground, falling to the canvas himself in the process. Both fighters struggle to get to their feet, but only Rocky is successful. For the first time, Rocky is declared the World Heavyweight Champion; even Apollo shows respect for him as he regains his support from fans for doing a fair fight. After winning the heavyweight title, Rocky takes advantage of his newfound wealth and fame, appearing in"
"outboxes Lang, tiring the stronger fighter out and eventually knocking him out in the third round. After the fight, Apollo calls in his ""favor"" for training Rocky, which is a one-on-one match between the two of them with no cameras, no media, just man vs. man in the gym. The film ends as they each throw their first punch. After winning back his title from Clubber Lang, Rocky continues to live the good life, now that he and Apollo are good friends. However, a new fighter from the USSR, Ivan Drago (played by Dolph Lundgren), has emerged and challenges Rocky"
"that they have ever dreamed, such as fame and fortune, and that she will always be there for him; win or lose. Motivated from this, Rocky goes on to regain his title from Lang. In the fourth film, Adrian and Rocky are visited by Apollo Creed, who has plans to have an exhibition match against a Russian Soviet Union boxer, Ivan Drago. After hearing his reasons, Adrian tries to discourage Creed, and tells him that she deeply cares about his well-being. Despite her suggestions, an exhibition match between the two materialize. Adrian attends the press conference, sitting with Apollo's wife,"
"Rocky II Rocky II is a 1979 American sports drama film written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the sequel to the 1976 film ""Rocky"", and was the last installment in the film series that was distributed solely by United Artists. Stallone, Carl Weathers, Tony Burton, Burgess Meredith, Burt Young and Talia Shire reprised their original roles. The ""Ring"" magazine heavyweight championship belt makes its first appearance in the series. Released on June 15, 1979, the film was followed by ""Rocky III"" in 1982. On New Year's Day in 1976, boxing heavyweight champion Apollo Creed has successfully defended"
"the second round, losing his title. Adding to his defeat, Mick dies of a heart attack after the match, devastating Rocky. After the funeral, a depressed Rocky wanders the streets of Philadelphia until seeing the statue at the steps. In a fit of rage, Rocky throws his motorcycle helmet at the statue and takes off until he comes to Mickey's now-abandoned gym. Despaired and lost, Rocky meets Apollo Creed in the darkened gym, who explains to Rocky that when they fought, he won because he was competitive. He has the 'fire' Apollo no longer has and the former champion convinces"
"both Rocky and Apollo falling to the canvas after Rocky lands a succession of left hands. As referee Lou Fillipo exercises his 10-count to the limit, both Apollo and Rocky struggle to get back up and Apollo falls back down in exhaustion. Rocky is able to get back up, from sheer determination beating the 10-count and winning the rematch by knockout, thus becoming heavyweight champion of the world. Over the next three years, Rocky has successfully defended his title in 10 consecutive defenses against various contenders, amassing fortune and worldwide fame in the process. In addition, Rocky also has an"
"Clubber Lang James ""Clubber"" Lang is a fictional character created by Sylvester Stallone for the film ""Rocky III"", which was released in 1982. Lang serves as the main antagonist of the film and was portrayed by Mr. T. Lang is a professional boxer fighting out of Chicago, Illinois and a one-time world heavyweight champion, having taken the title from Rocky Balboa only to lose it back to Balboa in his next fight. The character is very loosely based on a combination of Sonny Liston, Larry Holmes and George Foreman. James Lang was orphaned at an early age, and spent most"
"Tommy begins to make his adjustments as Rocky taught him, Rocky then mirrors his punches on a punching bag, which leaves his family concerned. Tommy wins the World Heavyweight title from Union Cane by knockout. Visibly proud of Tommy, Rocky is surprised that Tommy credited his success to Duke instead. However, Tommy is booed and ridiculed in the press, since he had never gone up against a ""real contender"" he is not regarded as a real champion or heir to the belt. This motivates Tommy, with prodding from Duke, to publicly challenge Rocky to a fight. While Rocky is at"
"to happen to Rocky. At the same time, Rocky begins dating Adrian. Rocky helps Adrian to become more self-confident and stand up for herself. Rocky confides in Adrian before the fight that, although he figures that he may not win, he wants to at least ""go the distance."" On January 1, 1976, at the Philadelphia Spectrum, Rocky has his match with Apollo, who did not take the fight seriously during training. In the first round, Rocky knocks Apollo down, the first time he had ever been knocked down in his career and Apollo breaks Rocky's nose, also for the first"
"Talia Shire's ensuing audition, Chartoff and Winkler, along with Avildsen, insisted that she play the part. Boxer Joe Frazier has a cameo appearance in the film. The character of Apollo Creed was influenced by outspoken boxer Muhammad Ali who fought Frazier three times. During the 49th Academy Awards ceremony in 1977, Ali and Stallone staged a brief comic confrontation to show Ali was not offended by the film. Some of the plot's most memorable moments—Rocky's carcass-punching scenes and Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, as part of his training regimen—are taken from the real-life exploits"
"spectators for leaving Rocky and hounded by reporters after the fight. They insist that Cane was nothing but a ""paper champion"", because Cane did not win the title from Balboa. They claim he will never be the real champion unless he fights a worthy opponent, like Rocky; they drive the point home when one reporter announces, ""...A Rocky Balboa he'll never be!"" With Gunn incensed by the press's reaction, Washington convinces him that he needs to secure a title fight with Rocky to refute the notion that he is not the real champion. Washington and Gunn show up at the"
"film as a potentially lethal form of 'brain damage', was inaccurate. Stallone stated that having discussed the story with many boxing medical professionals, the injury Rocky suffered was a milder form of brain damage, similar to that of a long term concussion that many boxers suffer from and by modern-day standards are still able to gain licenses to box and would not have prevented Rocky from gaining a license to box nor killed him. Tony Burton briefly reprises his role as Duke at the beginning of the film. However, during his scenes, Rocky refers to him as ""Tony"". In the"