Rocky Balboa
| Rocky Balboa | |
|---|---|
| Rocky character | |
| First appearance | Rocky |
| Last appearance | Rocky Balboa |
| Portrayed by | Sylvester Stallone |
| In-universe information | |
| Nickname | The Italian Stallion |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | professional boxer (retired) |
| Children | Robert (Rocky) Balboa Jr. |
Robert "Rocky" Balboa, Sr. is a fictional southpaw 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.
Fictional character biography
Robert Balboa was born in 1946 as the only child to a Roman Catholic Italian-American family. His favorite dessert was pie,beer and coconuts. 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). His previous fight was a second round knockout over local fighter Spider Rico.
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 Rocky 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 his friend Paulie (Burt Young).
On January 1, 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 block 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.
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 '76. 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.
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 intense 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), Apollo offered to train Rocky for a rematch against Lang, taking Rocky home to his old gym where he first trained. After a while 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 Lang's best blows and still standing, regaining his world heavyweight title. After the fight Rocky and Apollo were last seen alone in Mickey's Gym, Apollo taking his 'payment' for his training services: one last rematch, just the two of them, no spectators. But this fight was only a sparring session between two new friends.
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.
During 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 received a standing ovation both from the crowd and the politicals in attendance.
After the fight with Drago, Balboa’s doctor discovered that he had suffered significant brain damage, caused by repeated blows to the head, which forced him to retire. He then lost his fortune after his brother-in-law Paulie granted power of attorney to their accountant, who subsequently embezzled Rocky's money. His only remaining asset was the now closed Mickey's Gym, which had been willed by Mickey to Rocky Jr. Rocky was forced to return to the Philadelphia slums in which he had been raised.
Though retired from boxing himself, Balboa starts training an up-and-coming fighter, Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison). Gunn slowly becomes an excellent fighter, but suffers some from being constantly put in Rocky's shadow; he is nicknamed "Rocky's Robot" by the media. Gunn is wooed by seedy promoter George Washington Duke and leaves Rocky after an argument about whether Balboa is holding him back. At the same time Rocky Jr. also has problems adjusting to the less-than-lavish lifestyle he was born into and by his father's distance. After a while Rocky realizes the damage he is doing to his relationship with his son and makes amends.
Gunn wins the World Heavyweight title from Union Cane. However, he is ridiculed in the press -- since he had never fought a "real contender", he is not regarded as a real champion or heir to the belt. This motivates Gunn, with prodding from Duke, to publicly challenge Rocky to a fight. Balboa initially declines, but when the hot-tempered Gunn punches Paulie, Rocky accepts, telling Gunn his ring is in the alley right outside. The two engage in a street brawl which quickly gets the attention of the locals, the police (who allow the fight to continue) and the media. In the end Rocky defeats his protege then punches Duke (who had obnoxiously threatened to sue if Rocky touches him), telling him "Sue me for what?".
After the events of Rocky V, Rocky and Adrian eventually open up a restaurant called 'Adrian's' in 1995. In 2002, Adrian dies of ovarian cancer.
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.
Inspired by the simulation and feeling he still has some issues to deal with ("stuff in the basement"), Rocky decides to return to the ring. Rocky applies for a boxing license and though passing the physical with flying colors (the brain damage suffered in Rocky V was ignored) the Licensing Committee denies his license, however they change their minds and give him his license after Rocky makes an impassioned speech to them. Rocky's intentions were originally just to compete in small, local fights for fun. However with the publicity of Rocky's return Mason Dixon's promoters convince Rocky to face The Champ in an exhibition bout in Las Vegas. Despite being champion, 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 the fight.
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 father's 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 to dish out all of the damage. However Dixon soon realizes Rocky isn't going down and that the old man "has bricks in his gloves." 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 and Rocky proves to the world that he is no joke, mirroring the ending of the first Rocky film.
Personal life
Balboa married Adriana "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. 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.
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.
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]
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 often advances quickly upon his opponents, driving them into the ropes in order to deliver hard shots to the body. Throughout the series, Rocky is noted many times for having perhaps the best body attack in the sport. He is also renowned for his remarkable chin and heart, capable of absorbing a multitude of even the hardest hits without falling — an attribute he often employs on purpose to wear down his opponents, sacrificing defensive strategy to land his own punches. These qualities, in concert, helped land him a high percentage of KO victories over the course of his career.
Notes
Rocky Balboa's birth date is, at present, unclear. In Rocky, 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, which suggests his year of birth as 1947. In Rocky Balboa, a reporter during the press conference states that Balboa is still in his 50s. Sylvester Stallone's birth date is July 6, 1946. However, with this criteria considered, Stallone's birth date cannot be used as Balboa's.
References
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