[New post] Top 10 pound-for-pound boxers from Rocky films ranked ahead of Creed III release, featuring Apollo Creed, Ivan Drago and even Tony Bellew
Michael Benson posted: " As 'Creed III' – the ninth entry in the Rocky saga – hits screens, it's the perfect time to count down the top 10 pound-for-pound boxers the films have given us, from hype jobs to serious destroyers. The names are legend: Ivan Drago, Rocky Bal" talkSPORT
As 'Creed III' – the ninth entry in the Rocky saga – hits screens, it's the perfect time to count down the top 10 pound-for-pound boxers the films have given us, from hype jobs to serious destroyers.
The names are legend: Ivan Drago, Rocky Balboa, Apollo Creed, Adonis Creed, Spider Rico (OK, maybe not him). But how do you sort these heavyweight heroes from worst to best?
Creed III is coming out this week
talkSPORT has sat down and consumed 14 hours 55 minutes of pure Rocky movies in one sitting to scientifically assess each boxer. One thing they all have in common: an almost total lack of head movement. That aside, this is the undisputed ranking.
10. Tommy Gunn
'The Machine' Gunn, played by real-life contender Tommy Morrison, rose to prominence in little-loved 'Rocky V'. Trained and managed by Rocky, Gunn deserted him for brash Don King clone George Washington Duke, before the mulleted slugger won the heavyweight crown.
But when this backfiring 'Machine' goaded Rocky into a street fight, the middle-aged Balboa whacked him senseless. Which is sort of the equivalent of Anthony Joshua having the snot beaten out of him by Eddie Hearn on the mean streets of Essex. A forgettable paper champ.
9. Mason Dixon
Antonio Tarver's Dixon boasts a glossy unbeaten record and ends 2006 film 'Rocky Balboa' by defeating Sylvester Stallone's Rocky in an exhibition. However the Rock is 59 years old, yet still manages to hurt and knock Dixon down, only losing the contest via split decision.
Light-heavyweight champ Antonio Tarver played Mason DixonReal life contender Morrison played 'Tommy Gunn' in the fifth Rocky film
Admittedly, Dixon had to deal with a broken hand, but it's a poor showing against a man pushing 60 (also, Sly looks in better physical shape than the then-active fighter Tarver). Classic case of an impressive record masking an average champion.
8. Viktor Drago
A chip off the old Eastern block, heavy-handed Viktor has got the pop of his legendary Pops, Ivan. Unfortunately the 'Creed II' antagonist has what Tyson Fury might dismissively call bodybuilder muscles – great for show, but useless over a lengthy contest.
Brutalises champion Adonis Creed in their first fight, but ill-discipline costs him when he's DQ'd for punching his fallen foe. The epic rematch sees Viktor show his power before ultimately getting stopped when his dad throws in the towel. At least the father-son duo make up.
7. Danny Wheeler
'Stuntman' Wheeler, played by Andre Ward, racks up an impressive 33-bout undefeated run and humiliates a green Donnie Creed, knocking him down in a one-round gym battle in the original 'Creed' film.
But when the two meet as professionals at the start of 'Creed II', the apprentice has become the master, as the younger boxer stops Wheeler. A fine boxer but Wheeler – unlike the real-life Ward – is clearly a 'gym fighter' who can't replicate his best form when it matters.
Pound-for-pound king Andre Ward played Wheeler, whom made mincemeat of rookie Creed in the first edition of the Rocky spin-offFormer cruiserweight champion Bellew, right, played Conlan in the first Creed film
6. Ricky Conlan
Playing a bad-tempered, loud-mouthed Scouser must have been a real acting challenge for Tony Bellew. To be fair, Britain's former cruiserweight world champ brings fiery energy to his role as the unbeaten pound-for-pound no.1 in the first 'Creed' film.
Has to dramatically get up off the canvas in the final round to save his title after being knocked down by the inexperienced Adonis, before heading off for a stint in jail. Makes a reappearance in 'Creed III' where we guess Donnie may get his vengeance.
5. Ivan Drago
A fearsome fighting machine involved in arguably the greatest bout in the whole Rocky series. Yet let's not forget that Russia's Olympic gold medallist – portrayed memorably, if monosyllabically, by Dolph Lundgren – is actually 0-1 as a professional by the end of 'Rocky IV'.
His tragic beating of Apollo is officially an exhibition, so taking on Balboa on Christmas Day in Moscow is Drago's pro debut. Still, a devastating puncher with a terrifying stare. Steroid rumours persist, but who knows how many eggs he's eating out there in Mother Russia?
Drago was knocked out on Christmas Day by Rocky in a fan favourite fight
4. Adonis Creed
Goes from inexperienced hot-head to worthy world champion, with the help of his dad's genetics and advice from uncle Rock. Adonis starts at light-heavyweight so is on the small side for a heavyweight but shows impressive versatility as an adaptable boxer-puncher.
Great form in rematches, stopping Wheeler after their gym brawl, then beating Viktor Drago by KO in their war of a second bout. Marvellously portrayed by Michael B Jordan, who's good looking, rich, can act, is successful… enough to make you wish a KO1 by Jake Paul on him.
3. Clubber Lang
Mr T's mean, moody, motor-mouthed Clubber is so scary that we pity the fool who steps into the ring with him. The only boxer in the series to obliterate Stallone's Rocky, hammering him to a two-round defeat that made him world champion with a 28-0 (28 KOs) record.
The one weakness in the mohawked southpaw's arsenal is suspect stamina. His 'Rocky III' rematch sees Lang floor Rocky again, but punch himself out to let Sly's slimmed-down fighter earn his revenge. Probably didn't get the date with Adrian he dearly wanted after that.
Rocky and Apollo start off as rivals but become pals, with their friendship evident in the Creed films
2. Rocky Balboa
'His whole life was a million-to-one shot': a Philadelphia journeyman plucked from obscurity to face unbeatable champion Apollo Creed, Rocky came close to a seismic upset in the first 'Rocky'. In the sequel, getting up first after a dramatic double knockdown seals his triumph.
Stallone was born to play the gutsy underdog, who relies on KO power and an unmatched will to win to overcome superior foes. That said, the end of 'Rocky III' version of the Rock – trained to actually box a bit by old rival Apollo – is the peak version of the 'Italian Stallion'.
1. Apollo Creed
'The Master of Disaster', 'The King of Sting', 'The Count of Monte Fisto': Carl Weathers' slick, quick, powerful heavyweight champ – based loosely on Muhammad Ali – is an imposing 46-0 (46 KOs) before Rocky goes the distance with him in the Oscar-winning original film.
Apollo wins that by split-decision but loses another war in the rematch, having lost his 'eye of the tiger'. Still, Balboa – ever the gentleman – tells Apollo's son Adonis that his dad won their unofficial third fight in the gym. "The perfect fighter," Rocky calls him in 'Creed'. We agree.
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