Rocky Balboa From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Rocky Balboa Rocky character First appearance Rocky Last appearance Rocky Balboa Portrayed by Sylvester Stallone Information Gender Male Significant other(s) Adrianna „Adrian“ Balboa (deceased) Children Robert "Rocky" Balboa, Jr. Occupation prional boxer (retired) IMDb profile Robert "Rocky" Balboa, Sr. is a fictional boxer portrayed by Sylvester Stallone who has appeared in the Rocky series from 1976 to 2006. During the series, he wins the Heavyweight Championship of the World twice. Contents [hide] 1 Fictional character biography 1.1 Rocky 1.2 Rocky II 1.3 Rocky III 1.4 Rocky IV 1.5 Rocky V 1.6 Rocky Balboa 2 Personal life 3 Rocky's professional fight record 4 Character origin 5 Boxing style 6 Notes 7 References 8 External links [edit] Fictional character biography [edit] Rocky Robert Balboa was born in 1945 as the only child to a Roman Catholic Italian-American family. Up to 1975, Balboa was living in the slums of Philadelphia's Kensington section working as an enforcer for a local loan shark while at the same time fighting the local club circuit, including the Cambria Fight Club, nicknamed "The Bucket of Blood". By this time, Rocky had fought in 64 fights, winning 44 (38 knockouts) and losing 20 (as directly mentioned in Rocky). Balboa got his big break when the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed decided that he wanted to give an unknown fighter a chance to fight for the title after his intended challenger, Mac Lee Green, broke his hand while training. After getting picked by Apollo Rocky reunites with his estranged trainer, grizzled former boxer Mickey Goldmill, who convinces Rock that he can help get him prepared for this fight. At the same time Rocky begins dating shy pet-shop worker Adrian Peninno (Talia Shire), younger sister of Rockys friend Paulie (Burt Young). On July 4th, 1976 at the Philadelphia Spectrum, Balboa went the distance with Creed. Creed, who didn't take the fight seriously during training soon realized that while Rocky didn't have his skill he had a punch like a cement brick and was determined not to quit even when Mickey told him to. Although Creed won the fight by a split decision, it was the first time an opponent had lasted the full 15 rounds against Creed, and both men, battered beyond belief, agreed that there would be no rematch. [edit] Rocky II After the first match, Creed changed his mind and wanted a re-match under the stress of being humiliated by the press for failing to beat Balboa convincingly, as well as his own knowledge that he didn't give his best in the fight. Creed demanded a rematch with Balboa, stating that he would fight him any place, anywhere, to prove to the world that Balboa's feat was purely a fluke. At first, Rocky refused. He and Adrian got married, and at his wife's urging, Rocky tried living outside boxing. However, Rocky, a grade-school drop-out, soon realized he had no skills beyond fighting, and in fact could barely read. The money he made in the first fight was soon frittered away, and despite Adrian's objections, when Apollo called him out on national television,

Rocky agreed to the rematch. Without Adrian's support, however, Rocky's heart wasn't in the training and he was close to quitting until the pregnant Adrian went into premature labor and slipped into a coma after giving birth to Rocky Jr. When Adrian came out of the coma, she gave her full support to Rocky. Together, Mickey and Rocky trained hard, focusing on Rocky's speed and improving his right-handed punching (Rocky being a southpaw). At the same time, the angry Apollo also focused fully on his training, taking this match seriously. The re-match was set for Thanksgiving '77. The grueling battle was another 15-round war with both Balboa and Creed falling to the canvas after Balboa landed a succession of left hands. Referee Lou Fillipo exercised his 10-count and as both Creed and Balboa struggled to make it to their feet, Creed crumbled back down in exhaustion. Only Rocky was able to get up, getting the better of Creed this time and beating the 10-count, winning the rematch by knockout, thus becoming heavyweight champion of the world. [edit] Rocky III Over the next few years, Balboa successfully defended his title in 10 consecutive defenses against various contenders. In addition, Balboa also fought an exhibition bout against the World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Thunderlips (Hulk Hogan). However, in 1981, Balboa was challenged by intence and hungry newcomer James "Clubber" Lang (Mr. T). Balboa had 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 was; Mickey insisted that he would quit as Balboa's manager if he chose to fight Lang, but Balboa convinced him to train him for one last match. However, like Creed in the first movie, Rocky didn't put his heart into the training. Lang shoved Goldmill out of the way before the match, sending the elderly trainer into cardiac arrest, which threw Balboa, already undertrained, completely off his game. He was then knocked out in the second round, losing his title; adding to his defeat, Goldmill died of a heart attack after the match, devastating Balboa. Despairing, Balboa was met by Apollo Creed, who told Rocky that when they fought Rocky won because Rocky was hungry, he had the 'fire' Apollo no longer had, and convinced Rocky that he needed to get his fire ("the eye of the tiger") back. Along with his old trainer Tony "Duke" Evers (Tony Burton), offered to train Rocky for a rematch against Lang, taking Rocky home to Apollos old gym where he first trained. After awhile Rocky managed to purge his doubts and get his fire back. Fighting a style very reminiscent of Creed's own boxing technique mixed with his own In Your Face Don't Quit style, Rocky won the second match with Lang by KO, taking Creeds best blows and still standing, regaining his world heavyweight title. After the fight Rocky and Apollo were last seen alone in Mickey Gym, Apollo taking his 'payment' for his training services: one last rematch, just the two of them, no spectators. [edit] Rocky IV A couple of years after the events from Rocky III, Apollo Creed came out of retirement and agreed to fight a Soviet World Amateur Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist-turned-professional fighter Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) in Las Vegas with Rocky Balboa and Tony "Duke" Evers in his corner. Creed, past his prime and again not taking his opponent seriously, was brutally beaten by massive Drago in the first round but begged Rocky not to stop the fight. In the second round, Creed continued to be beaten by Drago, and fell limp in the ring and died from the injuries. Feeling responsible for not stopping the fight, Balboa set up a match with Drago, which was held on Christmas Day in Moscow. Rocky had to surrender his World Heavyweight Championship crown to accept the bout. With "Duke" assuming the role as his new trainer, Balboa trained hard using all-natural methods within the mountainous terrain of Krasnoyarsk Siberia, while Drago was shown being trained with state-of-the-art equipment and steroid enhancement. Finally when it came time for the fight. Drago dominated the early moments of the match, but in the second round Balboa caught Drago with a haymaker to the eye and cut him. The fight continued in a bloody back-and-forth battle, with the Soviet crowd who had originally rooted for Drago began cheering for Balboa while Drago's handler became increasingly upset over his inability to finish the American. In the end Rocky's superior stamina and will to win persevered and he defeated the Russian in the fifteenth round. After the fight Rocky gave an impassioned thank you speech to the crowd which recieved a standing ovation both from the crowd and the politicals in attendance. [edit] Rocky V After the fight with Drago, Balboa’s doctor discovered that he had suffered significant brain damage, caused by repeated blows to the head, forcing him to retire. He then lost his fortune after his brother-in-law Paulie granted power of attorney to their accountant, with only Mickey's Gym which had been officially closed for some years and willed by Mickey to Rockey Jr, still in his possession. He was then forced to return to the Philadelphia slums from where he was raised. Though retired from boxing himself, Balboa started training an up-and-coming fighter, Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison). Gunn slowly became an excellent fighter, but suffered some being constantly put in Rockys shadow (called Rockys Robot by the media) and wooed

by seedy promotor George Washington Duke ended leaving Rocky after an argument about whether Balboa was holding him back. At the same time Rocky Jr also had problems adjusting to the less-than-lavish lifestyle he was born into and by his fathers distance. After a while Rocky realized the damage he was doing with is sons relationship and made ammends. Gunn won the World Heavyweight title from Union Cane. However, he was ridiculed in the press -- since he had never fought a "real contender", he was not regarded as a real champion or heir to the belt. This motivated Gunn, with prodding from Duke to publicly challenge Rocky to a fight. Balboa initially declined, but when the hot-tempered Gunn punched Paulie Rocky accepted, telling Gunn his ring was in the allie right outside. The two engaged in a street brawl which quickly got the attention of the locals, the police (who weren't interested in breaking it up) and the media. In the end Rocky defeated his protege then punched Duke (who had obnoxiously threated to sue if Rocky touched him), telling him "Sue me for what?". [edit] Rocky Balboa After the events of Rocky V, Rocky opened a neighborhood restaurant which he named "Adrian's" dedicated to his wife who died from ovarian cancer prior to the events of “Rocky Balboa“. However Rocky found the urge to fight again and applied for his boxing license (the brain damage he had aquired in the last movie having been glossed over). His license application was originally denied but was eventually approved. On ESPN’s program “Then And Now” featured a computer animation about a simulated fight between Rocky (in his prime), and the current champion, Mason "The Line" Dixon. The fight simulated Rocky winning by knockout in the 13th round, which stirred up a great deal of discussion about the result if such a fight ever occurred. Despite being champ, Dixon is haunted by criticism claiming that he has never had a truly great opponent or memorable match. Originally against fighting an aged-Balboa, Dixon recognized the opportunity to fight a legend and hoping to end all prognosticating about who would win and agreed to an exhibition fight with Balboa. In the press, commentators dismiss Rocky's chances, assuming that the fight will be one-sided due to his age. Rocky Jr is also against the fight, believing himself held down due to his fathers shadow, though after a confrontation with Rocky Sr he realizes that the only one holding him back is himself. Rocky, reunited with his old trainer Duke, works hard on his one major remaining weapon: power. The fight initially seems lop-sided with Dixon's speed allowing him dishing out all of the damage. However Dixon soon realizes Rocky isn't going down and that the old man "has bricks in his gloves", and the tide turns when Mason injures his hand while punching Rocky. This evens the playing field and allows Rocky to mount an offense. In the end, the two fighters go the distance with Dixon winning by split decision. Dixon is finally recognized as being a warrior for fighting through the broken hand and Rocky proves to the world that he is no joke, mirroring the ending of the first Rocky film. [edit] Personal life Balboa married Adrianna „Adrian“ Pennino in 1976 (played by Talia Shire) during Rocky II. Adrian dies of ovarian cancer prior to the events of Rocky Balboa. They were married for 26 years. They are one of the longest celebrity marriages. The two have a son, Robert "Rocky" Balboa Jr who was born in 1976 (played by Seargeoh Stallone in Rocky II, Sage Stallone in Rocky V, and Milo Ventimiglia in Rocky Balboa). As evidenced by conversations with his priest, Father Carmine, Rocky understands Italian very well; however, it is unknown whether or not he speaks the language because his responses are in English. [edit] Rocky's professional fight record Before fighting Spider Rico, Rocky's record was 43 wins, (37 KO), 20 losses. This record only contains fights seen in the Rocky movies. Total record: 57 wins (54 KO), 23 Losses, 1 Draw. Res. Opponent Type Rd Location Date Notes Loss Mason Dixon Split decision 10 Las Vegas, Nevada 26-02-2005 Charity Exhibition Rocky made an incredible comeback after not fighting for nearly 20 years Win Ivan Drago KO 15 Moscow, Russia 25-12-1985 Exhibition Rocky gave title up to fight Drago, He then retired after fight for medical reasons. Win James "Clubber" Lang KO 3 New York City, New York 12-01-1982 Rocky wins the World Heavyweight Championship Goes into semi retirement, remains Ring magazine champion Loss James "Clubber" Lang KO 2 New York City, New York 15-08-1981 Title defense, Rocky loses title Draw Thunderlips Draw N/A N/A 10-05-1981 hybrid wrestling-boxing charity match Win Unknown KO N/A N/A 29-04-1981 Title defense Win Unknown KO N/A N/A 07-11-1980 Title defense Win Unknown KO N/A N/A 17-06-1980 Title defense Win Unknown KO N/A N/A 24-10-1979 Title defense Win Unknown KO N/A N/A 09-02-1979 Title defense Win Unknown KO N/A N/A 03-10-1978 Title defense Win Vito Soto KO N/A N/A 16-02-1978 Title defense Win Big Yank Ball KO N/A Las Vegas, Nevada 13-11-1977 Title defense Win Joe Czak KO N/A New York City, New York 01-08-1977 Title defense Win Trevor Faus

KO 1 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 06-04-1977 Title defense Win Apollo Creed KO 15 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 25-11-1976 Rocky wins the World Heavyweight Championship Loss Apollo Creed Split Decision 15 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 01-01-1976 For the World Heavyweight Championship Win Spider Rico KO 2 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 25-11-1975 [edit] Character origin “ Early in my acting career I realized the only way I would ever prove myself was to create my own role in my own script. On my 29th birthday, I had $106 in the bank. My best birthday present was a sudden revelation that I had to write the kind of screenplay that I personally enjoyed seeing. I relished stories of heroism, great love, dignity, and courage, dramas of people rising above their stations, taking life by the throat and not letting go until they succeeded. But I had so many ideas in my head, I couldn't focus on any one. To cheer myself up, I took the last of my entertainment money and went to see the Ali-Wepner fight on closed circuit TV. Chuck Wepner, a battling, bruising club fighter who had never made the big time, was having his shot. It wasn't at all regarded as a serious battle. But as the fight progressed, this miracle unfolded. He hung in there. People went absolutely crazy. Wepner was knocked out in the 15th and final round, almost lasting the distance. We had witnessed an incredible triumph of the human spirit and we loved it. That night, Rocky Balboa was born. People looked on him as the all-American tragedy, a man without much mentality and few social graces. But he has deep emotion and spirituality and good patriotism. And he has a good nature, although nature has not been particularly good to him. I have always seen him as a 20th Century gladiator in a pair of sneakers. Like so many of us, he is out of sync with the times. To all this, I injected doses of my own personal life, of my frustration at not getting anywhere. ” —Sylvester Stallone[1] [edit] Boxing style Though right-handed, Balboa fights as a southpaw (left-handed). He is a hybrid fighter, possessing the qualities of an inside fighter, brawler, and swarmer. With the exception of his rematch against Clubber Lang where he fights as an outside fighter, he advances quickly upon his opponents, driving them into the ropes and setting upon them with a devastating body attack. Rocky is well known for wearing opponents down over the course of a bout. Balboa's "cast iron" jaw allows him to take brutal punishment throughout his fights. With a "will of steel", he is known for overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to triumph over his opponents. It is this trait that inspires fans worldwide, sending the message that nothing is out of reach if one believes in himself. Balboa, as stated by Jim Lampley during the fight against Mason Dixon, is renowned for his "cast iron jaw, ferocious body attack, and will of steel; all of which carried him to victories over the years against physically superior opponents". Rocky has an uncanny ability to sense weakness in his opponents, seizing every opportunity to capitalize on a momentum shift in his fights. No matter how exhausted and battered, Balboa pushes his offensive edge. In the first title fight with Apollo Creed, announcer Stu Nahan refers to Rocky as a "bull in a china shop" after witnessing the offensive onslaught. During his career, Rocky defeated three previously undefeated fighters: Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, and Ivan Drago. He wore black and gold trunks for the majority of his career, but popularized the red, white and blue trunks after having been given them by Creed before his rematch with Lang. The fight scenes in the last movie, Rocky Balboa, are considered to be the most realistic in film history, with many boxing experts considering Stallone's in-ring performance to be his best ever.[2] [edit] Notes The age and the year of birth of Rocky is unclear. In the first movie he tells Paulie he is 30, this is in November 1975, so his year of birth would be in 1945. In Rocky III he is revealed to be 34, this is in August 1981, so his year of birth would be 1947. Sylvester Stallone's birthdate is July 6, 1946, but with this criteria his own birthdate can't be used as Rocky's. [edit] References ^ Total Rocky : ROCKY (1976) ^ Boxing News : Is a Character like Rocky Still Relevant to Boxing? [edit] External links Rocky Balboa at the Internet Movie Database AUDIO: Sylvester Stallone on boxing and faith [hide]v • d • eRocky Films Rocky • II • III • IV • V • Rocky Balboa Characters Rocky Balboa • Mickey Goldmill • Apollo Creed • Clubber Lang • Ivan Drago • Tommy Gunn • Mason Dixon • Tony "Duke" Evers Cast Sylvester Stallone • Talia Shire • Burt Young • Carl Weathers • Burgess Meredith • Mr. T • Dolph Lundgren • Tommy Morrison • Antonio Tarver • Tony Burton • Milo Ventimiglia • Geraldine Hughes Video games Rocky Super Action Boxing • Rocky (1987) • Rocky • Rocky Legends • Rocky Balboa Related articles Music • Rocky Steps • Rocky VI • Ricky I • The distance • Chuck Wepner • Anderson v. Stallone Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Balboa" Categories: Fictional characters from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Fictional Italian-Americans | Fictional boxers | Rocky characters