Hot Take: Rocky Balboa Is A Terrible Boxer

The amount of punishment Rocky takes on average, I think most of his fights would be stopped well before he pulls that miraculous comeback!

The way they fight in the Rocky movies is so disconnected from reality, it's kind of hard to judge. Not just Rocky, but every fighter in these movies. I'm not even a big boxing fan, but I know that much. No one bothers with defense, there's very little jabbing, they pretty much just trade haymakers.

I think this holds true for just about every sports movie. In fact, I don't think I can even come up with a single sports film that actually has the main characters using proper strategy and whatnot in their perspective sport. I mean, maybe Hoosiers is one, that movie seemed pretty accurate... but, yeah, I don't know what else...

Although, the punishment Rocky takes is all part of the show. They want him to look beat up after the fight for effects and to get people to root for Rocky to make the miracle comeback. It's good for the silver screen but not in real life.

The funny thing is, even in the Creed films, after a fight, they have the main characters looking like they were beaten to a bloody pulp, it's almost like each film tries to out-do the previous one in terms of how bad they can make the actors look after a fight. 😁

ROCKY WAS NEVER THE BEST BOXER...HE JUST HAD THE BIGGEST HEART.

His success in the ring is often attributed to his resilience, heart, and determination than to actual boxing prowess.

I've always been a bit puzzled by this take on boxing. It's applied to the fighter that to a large degree inspired Stallone in the creation of Rocky Balboa -- Rocky Marciano -- that he was clumsy, he lacked boxing skill, he was easy to hit, etc.

And yet he was the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated throughout his entire professional career, and has a higher percentage of his wins being by knockout than any other fighter.

I have a confession: I am not all that impressed by fighters who display consummate skill, precision, footwork, etc., but have to win on points. I think the "better" fighter is the one who would eventually knock the other guy out if there were no limits on the number of rounds (there didn't use to be, under the old London Prize Ring rules; the fight went on until one fighter either got knocked out, or threw in the towel). I don't care how much technical skill as a boxer you have, if you can't really hurt your opponent, and he would eventually knock you out if the fight went on. People seem to forget that boxing is a combative sport and not just a technical exercise.

"Moreover, Rocky has limited technical skills compared to more proficient boxers. "

EVERYONE has limited skills compared to more proficient people.

The movie isn't a documentary about boxing. Indiana Jones is a terrible archaeologist. Lucas McCain is a terrible shot. Hamilton Burger can't get a conviction. So what? The movies and shows they are in are entertaining.