Sports have always been a familiar genre ofmoviesand tell spectacular stories of how hard work and dedication lead to triumph and success. Over the years, many stories of underdogs rising to the occasion and putting all on the line against unbeatable odds have attracted flocks of average joes to theaters to see the little guy make it big. One of the most sensational film franchises that have encompassed the underdog tale is theRockymovie franchise. The firstRockymovie debuted in nineteen seventy-six starringSylvester Stallonein his breakout role as Robert “Rocky” Balboa.
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Rockyreceived overwhelming praise and monumental box office success, spawning numerous sequels and an entirely new spin-off franchise. The movies apart of theRockyandCreedfranchises are filled with spectacular bouts between powerhouse superstars and add to the electricity of the film, leaving viewers in awe. Here are the best fights in theRockyandCreedmovies, ranked.
9Rocky Vs. Tommy Gunn (Rocky V)
In the fifth installment of theRockyfranchise, a fading Balboa would retreat to outside the ropes and begin training the next generation of fighters to tackle the world and become champions. With his legacy intact, Rocky would mentor the up-and-coming Tommy Gunn, a hot-headed star with the skill to go the distance and the attitude to fall short.
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The film explores the brotherhood between Balboa and Gunn until fame and money force them apart. This division would lead to the two men exchanging blows in the street in a brawl for respect. Thinking he was the best in the world, Tommy would be humbled as Rocky schooled the young gun on what it takes to be the champ in and outside the ring.
8Adonis Creed Vs. Ricky Conlan (Creed)
In the first feature spin-off of the Rocky franchise, Michael B. Jordan sheds hisvillain role as Killmongerand stars as the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed and seeks out Rocky Balboa in hopes of being taken in as a protégé. Facing a dead-end path, Adonis Creed decides to put his all into boxing like his father in hopes of achieving greatness. Much to his family’s dismay, Adonis steps into the professional ring of boxing and learns quickly that there is no such thing as a free lunch.
However, Adonis displays the courage and drive that his father was known for and proves that he can stand on equal ground with the best of the best. Enter Ricky Conlan, the undefeated heavy-weight menace from the UK seeking to knock the chip off Donnie’s shoulder. The two meet in the middle of the ring, and Adonis fights an uphill battle to be taken seriously and step out of his father’s shadow.
7Rocky Vs. Mason Dixon (Balboa)
In the final movie in theRockyFranchise simply titledBalboa, the story follows a now-retired Rocky running his own restaurant in the middle of his hometown. Grizzled and now suffering from the life of stepping into the ring, Balboa spends his days looking back instead of forward.
However, when his name is brought back up in fantasy matches concerning the current world champion, Mason Dixon, Rocky is thrust back into the spotlight when an open challenge is thrown his way for exhibition. After being out of the fight for nearly a decade, Rocky puts his life on the line and takes his loss, regrets, and pride into the ring to prove he still has what it takes.
6Rocky Vs. Apollo Creed 2 (Rocky II)
No other member of theRockyfranchise measured up to the original quite like the rematch between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa. After the controversial finish between the two warriors, Apollo was constantly followed by the one dark mark on his record that argued that for one night, the Italian Stallion got the better of him. Unable to swallow his pride, Apollo issued a rematch against Rocky, and once again, the two men would meet in the center of the ring and leave it all inside the ropes.
5Rocky Vs. Clubber Lang (Rocky III)
The third film in theRockyfranchise would introduce Balboa’s most daunting task and one of the greatest antagonists of the series of films - the beloved Laurence Tureaud, also known as “Mr. T,” who rose to fame after appearing on the hit television series The A-Team, starring as Clubber Lang.
Lang would aggressively target Balboa and ridicule him at every opportunity in an attempt to crush the means spirit before stepping into the ring. While on the first encounter, Rocky lacked conviction and fell to the bruiser. However, to rekindle the mean he lost to, Apollo Creed would step in and train Rocky for the rematch that would go down in history.
4Adonis Creed Vs. Victor Drago (Creed II)
In the sequel to the highly successfulCreedspin-off movie,Michael B. Jordanwould return as the fledgling higher who rose to the top of his division to win the world title. Just as Adonis is at the peak of his trajectory, an old shadow from his father’s past steps into the spotlight.
The son of Ivan Dragon openly taunts Adonis, abusing the memory of his father dying in the ring. Unfocused and without a strategy, the first battle between the two powerhouses ends in disappointment. However, Adonis digs deep, and with the help of his family and Rocky, he finds the courage to step back into the ring and give it his all.
3Rocky Vs. Ivan Drago (Rocky IV)
While the previousRockyfilm would also perform successfully in theaters, the franchise’s fourth installment would blow away all expectations. Now undoubtedly successful, Rocky Balboa enjoys the good life in a fancy mansion and shiny car, no longer the hungry competitor he used to be.
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However, when his long-time friend, Apollo Creed, decides to step back into the ring after a lengthy absence, things take a turn for the worst when he loses his life fighting against the Russian Bomber, Ivan Drago. Fueled by rage and regret, Balboa sends an open challenge to Drago in the middle of Moscow. Balboa must face his doubts and the doubts of those who love him to overcome the wall named Drago; in spectacular fashion, Balboa meets his opponent head-on and gives him his first challenge.
2Rocky Vs. Apollo Creed (Rocky)
In the sensational battle that started it all, a washed-up could-have-been fighter is granted a winning lottery ticket when a peak Apollo Creed searches for a low-level fighter to give him a title shot and boost his own image. When Rocky is picked, he goes from nothing straight to somebody everyone wants a piece of.
Having warn-out gloves and little else, Rocky finds a glimmer of hope when he teams up with professionally trained Mickey and rushes to meet Creed in the middle of the ring. Shockingly, Balboa surpasses expectations and takes Apollo to the distance in a split-decision finish that would spark the continuation of the film franchise.
1Adonis Creed Vs. Damian Anderson (Creed III)
Recently, thethird installment in theCreedfranchisehas been released, where Michael B. Jordan once against dawns the boxing gloves to overcome a physical and mental obstacle that has come to upset the comfortable life of Adonis Creed. Now a father, Adonis is met by a ghost from his past in the shape of Damian Anderson.
Freshly released from prison, Damian seeks out Adonis looking for aid; the tables quickly turn when the two men find themselves bumping heads and then exchanging blows. Finally, in a public challenge, Damian and Adonis decide to meet in the ring and settle old scores. Both men put all their emotions into their fists and hash out all their differences in an electrifying fight for respect and forgiveness.
