A later example that can almost come off as a Author's Saving Throw from Creed, Apollo Creed being so hellbent on thinking he could take Ivan Drago makes even more sense then just a Apollo having a mid life crisis issue and adapting to a retired life. In Creed having Rocky revealing to Adonis that Apollo won the third fight against him at arguably his best, would explain why Apollo would have more confidence in thinking he might have a chance against Drago despite being retired and out of the ring for so long.
Apollo getting destroyed in his fight with Drago ties in to the same mistake he made in Rocky. Like in that movie, Apollo horribly underestimated his opponent and didn't take it nearly as seriously as he should have. Unlike the first film where Apollo was still able to win, this time he wasn't so lucky not the least being he was older.
As corny as the idea that Rocky would get cheered by the Soviet Union crowd, it make sense that a culture that is famously associated with strength and character (especially in this over the top film) it actually is believable that even if he was from a rival country, Rocky would still earn the respect from the crowd for his determination and to keep going on in the fight despite the beating he took.
