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Rocky III and IV were basically Apollo's "Master Plan"

posted 9 years ago by avatar1140
2 replies | jump to latest

Ok, we all know had it not been for Apollo, Rocky would have certainly lost the fight against Clubber. Apollo, being the conceited guy that he is, would not have stood for that. That would mean he would have to fight Clubber one-on-one to prove (to himself) he was the best. Clubber was a stranger to him, mean-spirited, and would have laughed in his face. So Apollo built the Stallion back up to fighting strength so he could beat Clubber and retain his title.
Fast forward to Rocky and Apollo in the ring by themselves. The two films never actually show the fight between them, but later in Rocky IV it becomes apparent that Apollo didn't win (perhaps didn't lose either, could have been a tie). His unhealthy obsession of "proving to himself he is the best" is still unresolved.
Fast forward to Ivan Drago. At this point, Apollo probably knows that Drago is taking steroids and other "enhancing" drugs. He probably knows, deep down in the darkest places of his mind, that he cannot hope to beat Drago in the ring. He also knows that Drago's punching power is enormous. Notice how, before the fight, he says to Rocky "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!"
Apollo knew he was going to die. He knew this would be the catalyst that would launch Rocky into the most intense revenge-fight in boxing history. And, therefore, guaranteeing that Rocky would win against Drago and that Apollo would get the last laugh.

Or I'm completely wrong.

[–] Pirate_Patch 9 years ago

Side note: According to the movie Creed (2015), the secret match between Rocky and Apollo was won by Apollo.

[–] drtturner 9 years ago

I don't think Apollo realized how tough Drago was until he tried to move his fists and they didn't budge. Until that point Drago looked like a glossy mag boy band member. Supersized but boy band none the less and that's all the carrot Apollo needed. Even though Apollo and his fans would laugh at the notion that the too raw Clubber Lange could better him, I think Eddie Murphy summed it up best in Delirious or Raw. Mr. T. Don't look like he CAN'T fight. Carl Weathers was proficient at giving him a look that said descretion is the better part of valor. The real tragedy is Apollo would have had a fighting Chance against the Champ whereas he did not against the Foreign insurgent.