DekeDasilva (from the StalloneZone forum) posted a link to Ranking The Various ROCKY Fights: From Worst To First at ActioNews. Several forum members weighed in and it got me thinking about how I would rank Rocky’s fights from the franchise. So here are my rankings compared to those at ActioNews and my thoughts on each…
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ActioNews |
Craig |
9. Rocky vs Tommy Gunn (Rocky V, 1990) |
9. Rocky vs Tommy Gunn (Rocky V, 1990) |
8. Rocky vs. Thunderlips (Rocky III, 1982) |
8. Apollo Creed vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985) |
7. Apollo Creed vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985) |
7. Rocky vs Clubber Lang, 1st fight (Rocky III, 1982) |
6. Rocky vs Clubber Lang, 1st fight (Rocky III, 1982) |
6. Rocky vs Mason Dixon (Rocky Balboa, 2006) |
5. Rocky vs Mason Dixon (Rocky Balboa, 2006) |
5. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, Rematch (Rocky II, 1979) |
4. Rocky vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985) |
4. Rocky vs. Thunderlips (Rocky III, 1982) |
3. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, 1st fight (Rocky, 1976) |
3. Rocky vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985) |
2. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, Rematch (Rocky II, 1979) |
2. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, 1st fight (Rocky, 1976) |
1. Rocky Vs Clubber Lang, Rematch (Rocky III, 1982) |
1. Rocky Vs Clubber Lang, Rematch (Rocky III, 1982) |
9. Rocky vs Tommy Gunn (Rocky V, 1990): All of the fights in the Rocky franchise are well done, and while this one came in last, it is still entertaining. It did feel a bit out of place since all the other battles took place in the ring.
8. Apollo Creed vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985): I enjoyed Creed’s fight against Drago better in Sly’s director’s cut, but the fact that Apollo dies makes it hard to rank this fight higher.
7. Rocky vs Clubber Lang, 1st fight (Rocky III, 1982): This fight was short but not sweet. Rocky gets knocked out and Mickey dies.
6. Rocky vs Mason Dixon (Rocky Balboa, 2006): Rocky proves his still has the “Eye of the Tiger”.
5. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, Rematch (Rocky II, 1979): What a fight and what a finish!
4. Rocky vs. Thunderlips (Rocky III, 1982): While this wasn’t a boxing match, I love it. Rocky is definitely the underdog – the size difference is amazing. The fight has humor, drama and is exciting from start to finish.
3. Rocky vs Ivan Drago (Rocky IV, 1985): Rocky has never had a more personal reason to fight and has never fought in a more hostile environment, yet he still finds the will to win.
2. Rocky vs Apollo Creed, 1st fight (Rocky, 1976): The fight that kicked off the entire franchise. Rocky was given no chance to win the title, but all he wanted to do was be standing when the final bell rang. Surprisingly (because it’s a movie and heroes are expected to win) Rocky loses, yet the audience is standing and cheering!
1. Rocky Vs Clubber Lang, Rematch (Rocky III, 1982): Rocky is going against a warrior who destroyed him in the first fight. He’s lost Mickey and perhaps “the Eye of the Tiger”. Will Apollo’s training and Adrian’s heart-to-heart provide the motivation to win? (You better believe it!)