When after Rocky's training montage, Apollo is shown crumbling up Rocky's picture, he looks like he knows he's going to lose.
The next sequence with Apollo's trainer was funny too when he says, "girls love you. Men, old people love you.." and the camera cuts to his wife, hilarious look. None of them sound too confident.
He was scared, because he knew that Rocky was more hungry for the victory (he had the "eye of the tiger"). Apollo didn't really wanted the rematch but he had to do it because of his pride (after all, an underdog almost managed to beat the world champion) and the big media coverage (hatemails and criticism).
shareI think Apollo had become totally obsessed with destroying Rocky in the rematch. But I'm sure he still thought in his mind "What if this nobody does it again?" Until the later rounds Apollo pretty much is dominating Rocky on points but ends up losing because of his pride and being obsessed with knocking Rocky out.
shareCreed is like Quint from Jaws; both end up dying b/c of their stubborn pride.
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Love that scene. There's something very honest about these kinds of scenes: The eve before battle, when combatants are resigning themselves to what is about to come. Without any bravdo, they face their inner-most fears and doubts. Apollo knew he wasn't going to beat Rocky inside 3 rounds like he predicted. It might have been the first time Apollo even considered the possibility that he could lose. It harkens back to one of my favourite scenes in Rocky I, after some introspection, Rocky realizes that he can't beat Apollo, but promises to at least go the distance.
shareA lot of things happened in that first fight...First time Apollo got knocked down, first time he didn't win by KO and the fight was a split decision, not unanimous. He even had his trainer and best friend Duke tell him that Rocky kept coming after him. I think Apollo was scared and realized there was a real possibility that he would never beat Rocky and Apollo's Ego doesn't let things go.
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