From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert 'Rocky' Balboa.
Rocky character
Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa
First appearance	Rocky
Last appearance	Rocky Balboa
Portrayed by	Sylvester Stallone
Information
Nickname(s)	The Italian Stallion, The Iron Horse
Gender	Male
Occupation	professional boxer (retired)
Children	Robert (Rocky) Balboa Jr.
Religion	Roman Catholic
Nationality	Italian American

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. He remains one of cinema's most beloved movie characters.

Fictional character biography

Rocky

(Robert) Rocky Balboa was born in 1946 as the only child to a Roman Catholic Italian-American family. Up to 1975, Balboa was living in the slums of the Kensington section of Philadelphia, 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 (Carl Weathers) 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 fought 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 concrete 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.

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 Robert. 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.

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) to a draw. 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 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.

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, falling limp in the ring and dying 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 politicians in attendance.

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, 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 Robert. 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 Robert also has problems adjusting to the new, less-than-lavish lifestyle his family was now leading, 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?".

Rocky Balboa

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. Rocky has drifted apart from his son.

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 (Antonio Tarver). 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 Licensing Committee denies his license, however they change their minds and give him his license after Rocky makes an impassioned speech to them (the brain damage suffered in Rocky V was ignored, though Stallone has stated that the plot intended for the damage to have actually been a bad concussion which was misdiagnosed as brain damage and never got a second opinion due to Rocky's financial troubles and the fact that he never planned to fight again anyway) . 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. Robert is also against the fight, believing himself held down due to his father's shadow, though after a confrontation with Rocky 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 (although in the alternate ending, Rocky defeats Dixon). 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 suffered from ovarian cancer. They were married for 26 years. The two have a son, Rocky Balboa Jr who was born in 1976 (played by Surge 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. He also likes eating Cheez Whiz on Ritz crackers.

Rocky's professional fight record

• Before fighting Mason Dixon, Rocky's record was 81 fights, 57 wins (54 KO), 23 losses, 1 draw.

Character origin

Boxing style

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 attack the body. Balboa's best attribute is without question his near-superhuman ability to absorb a multitude of 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. Because of this rare talent, Balboa can afford to keep his hands in position to strike rather than up high to block. Because he takes more punches than he throws, it is easy to overlook his incredible punching power. He is also acknowledged as having the most devastating body attack in the sport, breaking Drago's ribs and causing internal bleeding in Creed. Boxer Mason Dixon once remarked about Balboa, "...that guy's got bricks in his gloves." These qualities, in concert, helped land him a high percentage of KO victories over the course of his career.

Height 5'9

Reach 74 inches

191 pounds for first Apollo Creed fight

202 pounds for Apollo Creed rematch

201 pounds for Clubber Lang fight

191 pounds for Clubber Lang rematch

204 pounds for Ivan Drago fight

217 pounds for Mason Dixon fight

Honors

Rocky Balboa was annointed the 7th greatest movie hero by the American Film Institute on their 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains list.^[2] Additionally, he was ranked #34 on Empire Magazine's compilation of The 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.^[3] Premiere magazine ranked Rocky Balboa #64 on their list of 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.^[4]

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.

As seen in the film "Rocky IV" it is confirmed that rocky is born in April by the License plate that says southpaw 4-86, 39 min. 45 sec. into the film.

References

External links

• Rocky Balboa at the Internet Movie Database
• AUDIO: Sylvester Stallone on boxing and faith
• Rocky Balboa @ D1rect Movies

From Wikiquote

Rocky Balboa is a 2006 film from written and directed by and starring Sylvester Stallone as underdog boxer Rocky Balboa. It is the sixth and final film in the Rocky series, which began with the Oscar-winning Rocky thirty years earlier in 1976. Balboa, a retired widower living in Kensington, Philadelphia, owns and operates an Italian restaurant in the city called "Adrian's", named after his late wife. He decides to try his hand at one final match, ending up in an exhibition against the reigning champ.

Rocky Balboa

• [repeated line] Yo, how you doin'?

• [visiting his old house as he thinks about Adrian] I remember when she was standing there all nervous and shy with that small smile... And all I wanted her to do was trust me... And she did... she did...

• I'll leave it on the steps... Steps.

• Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that! I'm always gonna love you, no matter what. No matter what happens. You're my son, you're my blood. You're the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain't gonna have a life.

• I stopped thinking the way other people think a long time ago, you gotta think like you think.

• It's your right to listen to your gut, it ain't nobody's right to say no after you earned the right to be what you wanna be and do what you wanna do.

• I think every guy should at one time try to name an animal or something.

• I feel like a kangaroo... all this stuff in my pocket.

• You know, a lot of people come to Las Vegas to lose. I didn't.

• Hey don't hit me, I'm brittle.

• What's so crazy about standing toe-to-toe with someone saying "I am"?

• You know, I could have done nothing without you. Yo Adrian, we did it... we did it.

Paulie

• What an ugly dog!

• Hide the silverware.

• Hey Rock! This is the last round of your life!

• I ain't no talkin' building, Rocky!

• You're livin' backwards, Rocko! Change the channel from yesterday! Yesterday wasn't so great!

• [As Rocky points out the site of the rink where he took Adrian skating] Ice is stupid!

• Who's the Criminal?

• I told ya, I love Sinatra.

Marie

• Ilt doesn't matlter how this looks to other people, it matters how it looks to you. If this is something you gotta do, then you do it. Fighters fight.

• The last thing to age on somebody is their heart.

Robert

• You throw a big shadow.

• [talking to Rocky as he is getting ready for round three] Hey, stay on him! Everybody thought this was a joke, including me! Now, nobody's laughing! Stay on him!

Others

Duke: Gettin' stronger!

HBO Commentator: Yet another quick knockout for Mason Dixon, almost perfunctory; the fans let him know how they feel about it.

Dialogue

Martin: You got everything money can buy, except what it can't. Its pride. Pride is what got your ass out here, and losing is what brought ya back. But people like you, they need to be tested. They need a challenge.

Mason 'The Line' Dixon: But you know that ain't never gonna happen. There ain't anybody out there, Martin.

Martin: There's always somebody out there. Always. And when that time comes and you find something standing in front of you, something that ain't running and ain't backing up and is hitting on you and you're too damn tired to breathe. You find that situation on you. That's good, 'cause that's baptism under fire! Oh, you get through that and you find the only kind of respect that matters in this damn world, self-respect.

Rocky: Yo, don't I got some rights?

Boxing Commissioner: What rights do you think you're referring to?

Rocky: Rights, like in that official piece of paper they wrote down the street there?

Boxing Commissioner: That's the Bill of Rights.

Rocky: Yeah yeah, the Bill of Rights. Don't it say something about going after what makes you happy?

Boxing Commissioner: No, that's the pursuit of happiness. But what's your point?

Rocky: My point is, I'm pursuing something and nobody looks too happy about it.

Boxing Commissioner: But, we're just looking out for your interests.

Rocky: I appreciate that, but maybe you're looking out for your interests just a little bit more. I mean you shouldn't be asking people to come down here and pay the freight on something they paid, it still ain't good enough, I mean you think that's right? I mean maybe you're doing your job but why you gotta stop me from doing mine? Cause if you're willing to go through all the battling you got to go through to get where you want to get, who's got the right to stop you? I mean maybe some of you guys got something you never finished, something you really want to do, something you never said to someone, something... and you're told no, even after you paid your dues? Who's got the right to tell you that, who? Nobody! It's your right to listen to your gut, it ain't nobody's right to say no after you earned the right to be where you want to be and do what you want to do!... You know, the older I get the more things I gotta leave behind, that's life. The only thing I'm asking you guys to leave on the table... is what's right.

Marie: Do you have a reservation?

Paulie: Do I look like a freakin' Indian?

Commentator: (After Dixon lands another easy knockout) The world of boxing is looking for a warrior who captivates us with his passion.

Rocky: Ya know they always say if you live in one place long enough, you are that place.

Paulie: I ain't no talking building, Rock.

Rocky: I'd rather do something I love badly than...

Paulie: ...than to do bad by not doing something you love.

Rocky: Come on Paulie, we're about to serve today's special.

Paulie: Italian food cooked up by a bunch of Mexicans doesn't sound so special to me, Rock.

Paulie: Are you still mad that Adrian left you?

Rocky: She didn't leave, Paulie. She died.

Duke: You know all there is to know about fighting, so there's no sense us going down that same old road again. To beat this guy, you need speed - you don't have it. And your knees can't take the pounding, so hard running is out. And you got arthritis in your neck, and you've got calcium deposits on most of your joints, so sparring is out.

Paulie: I had that problem.

Duke: So, what we'll be calling on is good ol’ fashion blunt force trauma. Horsepower. Heavy-duty, cast-iron, piledriving punches that will have to hurt so much they'll rattle his ancestors. Every time you hit him with a shot, it's gotta feel like he tried kissing the express train. Yeah! Let's start building some hurtin' bombs!

Mason 'The Line' Dixon: It's already over.

Rocky: Nothing's over 'til it's over.

Mason 'The Line' Dixon: What's that from, the 80's?

Rocky: That's probably the 70's.

Rocky: Hey yo, champ, aren't you a little scared?

Mason 'The Line' Dixon: I don't get scared. [walks away]

Rocky: [turns and walks away with his son] You know, I think you try harder when you're scared... that's when it's worked best for me.

Rocky: [to a ESPN commentator before the fight with Dixon] How you doin'?

ESPN Commentator: [to his colleages] Rocky Balboa just asked me how I', doing. Now, I grew up watching this guy. I never thought that I would be calling one of his fights! Unbeliveable. I'm a fan, I can't help it.

Mason 'The Line' Dixon: [before the final round] You are one crazy old man.

Rocky: You'll get there.

External links

Wikipedia has an article about:

Rocky Balboa (film)

• Rocky Balboa quotes at the Internet Movie Database
• Rocky Balboa at Rotten Tomatoes

From Wikia Gaming, your source for walkthroughs, games, guides, and more!

Rocky Balboa
Developer(s)	Ubisoft
Publisher(s)	Ubisoft
Release date	February 13, 2007
Genre	Action
Mode(s)	Single player, Two player
Age rating(s)	ESRB: T
Platform(s)	PSP
Credits | Soundtrack | Codes | Walkthrough

This article is a stub. You can help by adding to it. Stubs are articles that writers have begun work on, but are not yet complete enough to be considered finished articles.