Come on. Come on!
Again! Again!
He's getting killed!
No, he's not getting killed, he's getting mad.
Whole world's watching. Knock me out!
Again, come on, champ. You ain't so bad.
Come on, come on.
You're out!
- We made a deal. - I know, but this is extremely crazy.
It makes sense. You owe me a favor.
I know, but when did you think of this?
About three years ago.
- This is very crazy, Apollo. - Look, Stallion.
When you won that last fight, you won by one second.
By one second. That's hard for a man of my intelligence to handle.
Is it? Didn't you say you learned how to live with it?
- I lied. - Oh, you lied!
So now you just gotta prove it to yourself?
Just for myself. No TV, no newspapers, just you and me.
Nothing. Just you and me. Age before beauty.
Anything you say.
I do all the work. Okay.
You better go slow, because you ain't as young as springtime no more.
I can still whip your butt, Stallion.
Oh, yeah? How you gonna do that? You taught me everything you know.
Almost everything.
Remember, you fight great, but I'm a great fighter. Ready?
- Oh, absolutely. - All right.
You know, Stallion...
...it's too bad we gotta get old, huh?
Just keep punching, Apollo.
Wanna ring the bell?
All right.
Ding, ding.
Come on, Stallion.
Come on, come on.
Boy, you really move good for an older guy.
- You can fly. - Look out, now.
No, you don't want any of this.
Maybe I'm in here with the wrong guy.
Dad, you're late!
Mom's gonna yell at you.
- So how you doing? - Fine.
Don't you think that's a little bright, don't you think?
Where'd you get that hat?
A friend gave it to me. Like it?
Who punched you in the eye?
Same friend.
That's weird. Better hurry, Dad.
You're developing a very, very loud personality.
Don't go too fast or you're gonna get out of focus.
Oh, really?
Yo!
- Yo, it's about time. - I'm sorry I'm late.
Hey, listen. Go over there and get ready to eat, okay?
Great, you're here. Now you can stop calling him names.
You've been calling me names, huh?
We wait any longer, it'll be my next birthday.
- Where were you? - Out getting punched.
Bring the cake so we can get the celebration under way.
Boy, am I hungry.
Babe, get the cake. He'll love it.
We got a great surprise. You'll love this cake.
- You'll love your present. - Where is it?
Let me set the mood. I gotta turn the lights down.
- Watch this. - It's parked in the driveway?
Just be patient, will you?
I'm so excited, I'm starting to sweat.
I feel like I'm getting ready to go into a big fight.
Happy birthday, Paulie.
- What the hell is this? - Your present.
Yo, I wanted a sports car, not no walking trash can.
- He looks great. - This is extremely psycho.
You don't have friends, so we thought you'd like it.
Pretend you're happy, will you? It'll keep you company.
- Great-looking guy. - Please make a wish.
It's creepy. That talks!
Creepy? I wish I had one when I was growing up.
Go on, make a wish.
I wish I wasn't in this nightmare.
A very classy wish. Very nice.
What do you think? Very good, huh?
Wanna help me put out this forest fire?
- Sure. - On the count of three.
One.
Two.
Three.
Well, they're out!
You drowneded me.
Oh, don't worry. I'll clean it up for you, Paulie.
- Rocky! - Yeah, you noticed.
What are you doing with that cake?
The party ain't over yet, you know?
Still gotta celebrate some more. It's a special night.
Yeah, it's Wednesday.
It's definitely Wednesday...
...but in case you forgot, it's almost nine years since you married me, so...
...here's your prize.
But our anniversary's a week away.
That's true, but why wait?
- Has it been that rough? - No.
I'll tell you, it's been excellent, really.
Open your prize. Go on, open your prize.
Okay.
Do you like it?
- It's beautiful. - All right!
I was so nervous, I didn't know.
I hope you like it.
The guy I bought it from says:
"Even if it looks like a snake, don't worry, because it won't bite you."
Oh, it's beautiful.
You know what's amazing?
That after all these years, everything still seems kind of new.
Remember a long time ago, I told you...
I said that you ain't never getting rid of me. Remember that?
Well, you're not.
You're never getting rid of me.
Happy almost anniversary.
- Would you answer a few questions? - How long are you here for?
We talk later, please.
- When will you fight, Drago? - We talk later.
Is it definite that the Soviet Union will enter professional boxing?
No more talk now. We'll talk at press conference.
Do you know where it's gonna be held?
We talk later, please.
Today may prove to be a landmark in sports history.
After unraveling years of red tape...
... Russia will throw its hat into the ring.
The prize ring, that is.
The introductions were made by his wife, Ludmilla Drago...
... the gold medalist in swimming.
Today, the Soviet Union has entered professional boxing.
My husband and great undefeated heavyweight world amateur champion...
... Captain Ivan Drago...
... has come with his trainers to America...
... to compete as an international sportsman...
... and ambassador of goodwill.
Has Drago ever boxed a real professional?
Having been trained in Russia by great boxing coach, Manuel Vega...
... and now by Sergei Rimsky, we hope he's qualified to do so.
Hope?
Well, I know he is, but I don't want to sound too confident.
If possible, we would like to have...
... an exhibition bout with champion, Rocky Balboa.
What makes you think he can fight someone as seasoned as Balboa?
No one can match his strength, his endurance...
... or his aggressiveness.
Sounds like he's indestructible.
Yes, he is.
Can this mammoth Russian, who's...
... been nicknamed "The Siberian Express"...
... wreak havoc among the professional heavyweight ranks?
Whoever he fights first, it'll be one hot ticket.
We'll be back with a check on today's pro football scoreboard.
Dad, when can I learn to fight?
I can't hear you. What?
I wanna learn to fight.
Yo, could you turn your robot down?
You see, I fight so you don't have to fight.
I want you to use your head for something...
...instead of a punching bag, like I do.
Your head doesn't look like a punching bag.
No? That's nice. Thanks a lot.
It looks like a catcher's mitt.
A wise guy, huh?
Mr. Balboa, Mr. Creed's on the phone.
- Yeah? I'll be right there. - You can get it right here.
I hope it's not another rematch.
Oh, don't worry about it.
Hello? Yeah, Apollo.
Turn that down. Apollo, how you doing?
Yeah? You coming out?
Hey, that's great. What am I doing?
I'm just getting dizzy.
My husband and I thank you for coming to our training quarter today.
As you can see, it is highly advanced...
...and we wish to show the American press a small portion...
...of the advances our country's made...
...in the technology of human performance.
Coach Rimsky, what does all this do to enhance performance?
- Well... - lf I may answer.
It makes a man a better man...
...a great athlete, a super athlete by harnessing all his strength.
Though most of the world is ignorant in body chemistry, we wish to...
...educate your country.
There are rumors of blood doping and distribution of anabolic steroids...
...in the Soviet Union.
Has Drago partaken in any such experiments?
No, no. Ivan is naturally trained.
Then how do you explain his freakish strength?
Like your Popeye, he ate his spinach every day.
Shall we have a demonstration?
- Please do. - Thank you.
A normal heavyweight averages 700 pounds of pressure...
...per square inch.
As you can see...
...Drago averages 1850 pounds.
So the result's quite obvious.
And what results are those?
Whatever he hits, he destroys.
I saw him fight as an amateur.
He's big and he's strong, but he's clumsy. I know I can beat him.
Why do you want to fight again?
Let's just say it's something I believe in.
- You can do your homework. - Okay. Later, Dad.
Later, Uncle Paulie. Later, Apollo.
- Later, big man. - See you later, kiddo.
Don't you think people expect to see Rocky whack this bum out first?
Yeah, yeah. And he will when it's for real.
This is just an exhibition bout. Kid stuff.
What's the purpose? What, at this point, is worth getting hurt for?
- What the hell is that? - That's my girl.
- Thanks, honey. - You're welcome.
- That's a nice song. - It's my favorite.
You're the greatest.
See you, sport.
See you.
Paulie, who taught it to talk like that?
She loves me.
Like I was saying...
...I don't want this chump coming here with all that hype...
...trying to make us look bad. They try every other way.
With Rock's help, we'll get media coverage.
Make them look bad for a change.
I think it's wrong.
No. It's never been more right.
You're a great fighter, but you're retired.
Don't you think it's time to think about something else?
I mean, how much can you take?
Either of you?
I'll get the coffee.
Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...
I just care about you both.
You ever try these comics?
No, no.
Keeps your fertility.
Hey, Paulie.
Rocky's holding that right hand up and he's...
Now this was a great fight.
Great, huh? I'm getting punchy just watching it. Look!
What you using for a chin, Stallion?
- I should have slipped that one. - Definitely should've slipped that.
You know, it's crazy how people...
...care about you in that ring, when you're bleeding.
But once you step out of that ring, you're ancient history.
You ain't ancient history.
I don't see anybody asking for autographs, do you?
Hey, Apollo. Can I ask you something?
What?
This fight you're having against the Russian...
...do you think maybe it ain't against him?
If it's not him, Stallion, then who's it against?
Well, do think maybe it's like, you against you? What do you think?
I think you really are brain-damaged.
- That's what I think, Stallion. - Yeah, maybe.
Hey, really, I'm speaking the truth here, Apollo.
- Are you? - Yeah.
I don't wanna hear this, Stallion.
Come on. Hey, Apollo, look...
...you were a great fighter, no doubt.
But, look, we gotta face the facts too.
You don't wanna believe it, but the show's over.
Man, that's easy for you to say. You're still on top.
What happens when you're not on top? Then what, huh?
Where do we go? Because we sure as hell can't be born again.
No, we can't be born again, but let's face it, we gotta change sometime.
I don't wanna change. I like who I am.
I like who you are too, but look at that.
You don't wanna believe it, but that ain't us up there no more.
We can't do that the way we did it before. We're changing.
We're, like, turning into regular people.
No, Stallion. Maybe you think you're changing.
But you can't change what you really are.
You can forget all this money and stuff. It don't change a thing.
You and me, we don't even have a choice.
We're born with a killer instinct...
...that you can't just turn off and on like a radio.
We have to be in the middle of the action because we're warriors.
Without some challenge, without some damn war to fight...
...then the warrior may as well be dead, Stallion.
So I'm asking you...
...as a friend...
...stand by my side this one last time.
You're a great talker, Apollo.
All right, but when this is over?
You know me, Stallion.
I always think of something else.
That's what I'm afraid of. All right, you got a deal there.
I feel sorry for that guy, huh?
What made you decide to put on an exhibition fight with Drago?
Let's call it a sense of responsibility.
Responsibility? How?
I had to teach this young fellow to box, American style.
Isn't Drago a little inexperienced to be in the same ring?
Well, you know, some folks gotta learn the hard way.
No quick knockout predictions?
No, I'm not angry with him.
I just wanna show the whole world that Russia...
...doesn't have all the best athletes.
Rocky, how do you think Apollo should fight Drago?
Personally, I think the first thing you better get Apollo is a ladder.
Drago, how does it feel to spar with the great former champion?
His tongue didn't come through customs.
My husband is very happy to have this opportunity.
- It's his dream. - Dream? How do you mean?
In our country, Apollo Creed is well-known and very respected.
It could be a good victory.
Hey, wait a minute now. Wait a minute. When?
You don't really think you're gonna whip me, do you?
He didn't come here to lose.
Hold on, little lady. You hold on.
Because lose and lose royally, he's gonna do.
How can you be so sure?
I've been with the best and I've beat the best.
I've retired more men than Social Security.
Excuse me. You are not very realistic, are you, Mr. Creed?
Who are you? What are you talking about?
You can box, but you are too old to think that you can win over Drago.
- Is that a fact? - Yes, and it could be a painful one.
Put him in the ring with me and you'll see the meaning of pain.
Why do you insult us?
Now you just hold on here.
I'm not the bad guy. I came here for a friendly exhibition bout...
...till "Comrade Bigmouth" started up. - It is you who are the aggressor.
I wish to say to the press, in all fairness...
...Drago should not fight this man because he is a has-been.
You get that big chump in the ring right now...
- Bring it on. - Stop, you'll get hurt.
Just let that chump go.
All right, all right.
I said what I feel.
- We'll finish this in the ring. - Whatever you like.
You shut up, and all these puppets you brought.
You're history, chump. You history!
- How did I do? - A little loud for me.
- But good? - Oh, yeah. Very good.
Welcome one and all, to the City of Lights, Las Vegas...
... and to one of the most unusual events in years. East meets West.
Age vs. youth in a goodwill exhibition match...
... as former champion Apollo Creed...
... takes on a mountain of muscle from the Soviet Union...
... Ivan Drago.
- Come on, man. - Patience is a virtue.
I'm ready to rock and roll.
I understand, but you gotta get your equipment here. There you go.
Now you look like a mummy.
- I feel like a mummy. - How's it feel?
Great. I feel like I could eat nails.
- I never tried them things. - What are you talking about?
Snails. I see them in the garden, but I never wanna eat them.
I didn't say anything about snails. I said "nails."
Nails!
Well, you know, you look pretty good.
But do me a favor when you go up there, Apollo.
Try not to wear yourself out, okay?
Yeah, wear myself out. Sure.
You ain't been in the ring for, like, five years...
...so I just want you to maintain...
What? I'm not an old man.
I'm in the best shape of my life. Stronger, quicker.
Well, hey, I'm not saying you're not ready or anything.
But personally, if it were me, I would postpone it a couple weeks.
- Postpone? - Yeah, I mean...
...come on, Apollo. We don't know anything about this guy, really.
Look, okay, okay. Let's say I postpone, right?
I pull out, somebody else whips him. Where does that leave me?
What do you mean?
It's an exhibition fight. It don't mean nothing.
No, no, no, man. That's where you're wrong.
It's not just an exhibition fight that doesn't mean anything.
This is us against them. What are you talking about?
Stallion...
...maybe you don't know what I'm talking about now...
...but you will when it's over.
Believe me, you will when it's over.
Ivan!
Good luck. I hope after we can be friends.
I hope so.
Of course, they're sportsmen, not soldiers.
Enjoy the fight.
Good evening. With Warner Wolf, I'm Stu Nahan...
...and we welcome you to a most unusual event.
For the first time ever, West against East in professional sports.
Thanks for getting me here, Stallion. I owe you one.
- No, no. We're even. - God, I feel born again.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome.
I would like to announce the presence of a true fighting champion...
...that defines the word "courage."
The Italian Stallion, Rocky Balboa!
- Excuse me, would you? - Certainly.
Rocky!
Tonight's special event features two great athletes.
In the blue corner, weighing 221 pounds...
...a former heavyweight champion of the world...
...the Dancing Destroyer...
...the King of Sting...
...the Count of Monte "Fisto"...
You got enough names?
Be patient, Stallion. We're almost done.
...the Master of Disaster, the one and only...
...Apollo Creed!
The crowd anticipating a great fight as Apollo is in the ring.
He's playing to the crowd.
In the red corner...
...weighing an even 261 pounds...
...gold medalist and undefeated world amateur champion...
...from the Soviet Union...
...the Siberian Bull...
...Ivan Drago!
I want you!
I want you! I want you!
The fighters come to center ring...
...for the instructions from referee Lou Fillipo.
You boys know the rules.
Watch your low blows, kidney punches, rabbit punches.
In case of a knockdown, you go to the corner...
...and stay until I say to come out.
Shake hands, let's have a good fight.
All right, it's time to go to school, son.
Get your hands up. You need an interpreter?
It's time to go to school!
You will lose.
All right!
The bad blood between these two can be felt all over.
I can't get over the size of this Russian.
Get ready, it's showtime!
It's showtime! It's showtime!
Excuse me. Didn't you forget something?
Come on.
Apollo seems to be in great spirits tonight.
He's really putting on a show for this capacity crowd.
Be back in a minute.
Round one.
Creed's dancing around.
Creed's been away five years.
Don't wait on him. Get off first.
Come on. Come on.
Come on, chump.
Neither fighter ready to punch.
A left jab there. A left jab once again by Creed.
And a slip! A slip by Creed.
This is bizarre.
Creed is over-the-hill, and the Russian hasn't fought anyone.
- Keep your chin down. - Keep moving, Apollo. Stick him.
Drago's moving in again.
Another left hand by Creed as Drago moves away.
All right, come on.
Hands up. Hands up.
Another left hand by Creed. Drago waiting, waiting...
...cocking that right hand.
- Crushing right by the Russian. - Get out of there!
- Stay away from him. - Get out of there!
And a left hand. He's taking some punishment now.
Drago moves him against the ropes.
- Tie him up, now. - The Russian ties him up.
And now the Russian throws Creed across the ring.
Throws him a strong upper cut.
It's Drago with the upper hand. Drago with a left to the midsection.
- Get out of the corner! - Drago with a right.
Another right. Another right-hand punch by Drago.
And the referee tries to stop it...
...but Creed is against the ropes.
They step in and they stop it.
What are you guys doing?
This is supposed to be an exhibition. You understand?
An exhibition!
A tremendous end to the first round by the Russian.
And a very bloody Apollo Creed.
The Soviet's strength is incredible.
Champ, look. I gotta stop it.
This fight's finished. I gotta call it.
- But you can't do no more. - I'm here to fight.
He's killing you. I gotta stop it.
I'm here to fight. Promise me you won't stop this fight.
That was a pulverizing round for the ex-champion.
Hey, folks, Ivan Drago is definitely for real.
You don't stop this fight, no matter what.
No matter what.
Creed now comes out for round two, dancing around.
The legs appear to be still a little rubbery.
Get your hands up there.
Hands up.
And now it's the Russian just standing there.
The Russian trying to intimidate Creed.
The Russian throws a right hand back against Creed, to the jaw.
Another right to the head. Drago is all over Creed.
Creed is being pounded without mercy.
Stop the fight!
The referee tries to step in...
...and he's thrown across the ring!
Throw the towel.
No.
I've never seen Apollo take so much punishment.
- Throw the damn towel. - No.
No!
- My God! - Creed is down.
Apollo is down, and he could be badly hurt.
Let him breathe!
- Move back! - Get these guys out!
The winner, Ivan Drago.
Let me through. Apollo!
I cannot be defeated.
- Is he okay? - Somebody get a doctor!
- There is no movement by Creed. - Get that light off!
I defeat all man.
- Is he dead? - Get out!
- It's absolute pandemonium. - Please, stand back.
Let him breathe. Come on, Apollo. You can do it.
Soon...
...I defeat the real champion.
- Where's the stretcher? - Send for a doctor.
Let him breathe!
What started out as a joke has turned out to be a disaster.
He appears to be in serious condition.
- Is the man alive? - You'll make it, Apollo.
If he dies, he dies.
There's a lot I could say...
...about this man.
I don't know if it matters now.
I guess what matters is...
...what he stood for...
...what he lived for...
...and what he died for.
You always did everything...
...the way you wanted it.
I know I didn't understand that...
...but now I understand.
I'll never forget you, Apollo.
You're the best.
Rocky, is the decision final?
Yes.
Is this the first time the champion has given up his crown?
I don't know about that.
Doesn't the title mean anything to you anymore?
Not until this is over.
Coach Rimsky, considering Rocky's known punching power...
... do you still think this will be an easy fight?
Yes. Of course. It's a matter of size...
...and evolution. Isn't it, gentlemen?
Drago is the most perfectly trained athlete ever.
This other man has not the size or the endurance...
...or the genetics to win.
It's physically impossible for this little man to win.
Drago is a look at the future.
How much are you making for this fight?
No money. It's not about money.
Has the fight date been set yet?
- December 25th. - Why Christmas?
- That's what I was told. - Where?
- It's in Russia. - Are you nuts?
- Rocky, what's going on? - Why'd you agree to this?
We fight in Soviet Union or we fight nowhere.
Why don't you ask Drago's wife why she is afraid? Tell them, please.
I'm afraid for my husband's life. We have violent threats everywhere.
We are not politics.
All I want is for my husband to be safe, to be treated fairly.
You call him a killer.
He's a professional fighter, not a killer.
You have this belief that you are better than us.
You have this belief that this country is so very good and we so very bad.
You have this belief that you are so fair and we are so very cruel.
It's lies and false propaganda...
...to support this antagonistic and violent government.
Oh, violent?
We don't keep our people behind a wall with machine guns.
- Who are you? - Who am I?
I'm the unsilent majority, bigmouth.
Good. Yes, good.
Insult us.
It's more typical rude behavior toward visiting foreigners.
But perhaps this simple defeat of this little so-called champion...
...will be a perfect example...
...of how pathetically weak your society has become.
We go!
Rocky, can you tell us about the training program?
Mrs. Balboa.
How do you feel about going to Russia?
How is it to be a part of such a controversial decision?
- Did Creed's death make up his mind? - I don't know what you're talking about.
Why is he going at Christmas?
Was it his decision?
When will you be going to Russia?
Look, I'm not going to Russia. I don't know what you're talking about.
I don't know why you're here. I don't know what you're doing here.
What is your position?
- Rocky? - Yeah.
You all right?
Yeah. Fine.
Why did you do it?
I just gotta do what I gotta do.
You don't have to do anything.
No, Adrian, I do and...
...I gotta leave this place too.
So where are you going?
They said they were gonna let me train in Russia...
...and I just wanna go someplace where...
...I ain't gonna think about nothing except him.
Rocky, give it some time.
Don't do this. A lot of people live with hurt.
A lot of people don't have a choice. I do.
And for that you're willing to lose everything?
Adrian, this ain't everything.
This house and the cars and all the stuff we got...
...that ain't everything.
There's a lot more than this, Adrian.
Before there were reasons to fight I could understand...
...but I don't understand this.
Even if you win, what have you won? Apollo's still gone.
Why can't you change your thinking? Everybody else does.
Because I'm a fighter.
That's the way I'm made, Adrian.
That's what you married.
We can't change what we are.
Yes, you can.
You can't change anything, all we can do is go with what we are.
Go with what you are! Have you read the papers?
Do you know what everybody says?
It's suicide.
You've seen him, you know how strong he is.
You can't win!
Adrian.
Adrian always tells the truth.
No, maybe I can't win.
Maybe the only thing I can do...
...is just take everything he's got.
But to beat me...
...he's gonna have to kill me.
And to kill me...
...he's gonna have to have the heart to stand in front of me.
And to do that...
...he's gotta be willing to die himself.
I don't know if he's ready to do that.
I don't know.
Be careful with those plaid ones. They belong to the boss.
Paulie, did you pack your toothbrush? You know tobacco stains your teeth.
If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times...
Stop busting my chops.
Paulie.
I'm gonna have her wires tied when I get back.
When will you be back?
- Oh, pretty soon. - Are you scared?
- No. - Yes, you are.
A little, maybe?
Well, wouldn't you be?
If a big giant man wanted to beat me up, I'd be real scared.
Well, the truth is, you know, sometimes...
...I do get a little scared.
When I'm in that ring and I'm really getting hit on...
...and my arms hurt so much I can't even lift them...
...and I'm thinking, "I wish this guy would hit me on the chin...
...so I don't feel nothing anymore."
Then there's another side that comes out that isn't so scared.
There's another side that, like...
...wants to take more...
...that wants to go that one more round because...
...by going that one more round when you don't think you can...
...it's what makes all the difference in your life.
Do you know what I mean?
I want you to remember one more thing.
Remember that...
...Daddy thinks you're the best boy in the world.
That Daddy loves you, no matter what.
I gotta go now.
- You gonna take care of everything? - Okay.
And don't forget to feed your robot.
Bye, baby.
Good luck.
Thanks.
Come on, the meter's running.
What a horrendous flight.
This is Russia? It don't look so tough, Rock.
Mr. Balboa.
We take you to quarters now.
Hey, when does the sun come up? This is detrimental to my sinuses.
Weather changes hour to hour. Get used to it.
Get in car now.
We have very long trip.
- Sounds like Dracula's cousin. - Come on, Paulie.