History Characters / Rocky

* AllForNothing: Becomes the heavyweight champion, like he dreamed of, but is booed off the stage, considered more of an extension of Rocky than a fighter in his own right, and presumably ends up losing it all after George Washington Duke cuts ties with him following his street brawl with Rocky.

* AntiVillain: Sure, he handles the situation with Rocky ''horribly'', but at the end of the day, he's a poor kid desperate for a chance in the limelight. When he eventually ''does'' go somewhere, he's immediately manipulated by Duke, who buys his loyalty with money. Not to mention, when he wins the title his whole life's been building up to, he's met with nothing but hate, being constantly judged (negatively) against Rocky, with his accomplishments being pretty much worthless, since the public considered Union Cane an easy win. Taken further in one alternate ending, where Rocky offers a truce to Tommy after their fight, which he accepts.

A Soviet amateur fighter who, due to being unable to compete as a professional, (Eastern Bloc athletes of the time did not compete in professional leagues, only in the Olympics and other amateur leagues) is touted as a potentially awesome but unproven boxer. Apollo sees this and is convinced he can defeat him, and challenges Drago to an exhibition fight. After Apollo loses, Rocky challenges Drago to an unlicensed bout in Russia that is not recognized as legitimate by boxing authorities.\\

* HeelFaceTurn: A mild example, as he [[NoAntagonist was never really a villain]], just Rocky's opponent, before becoming Rocky's trainer in the third film.

* BenevolentBoss: Despite conducting illegal business, he's not entirely immoral, and he even gives Rocky extra cash when he feels that Rocky needs it, no strings attached.

* NiceGuy: To Rocky. He's also nice enough to allow Paulie to take Rocky's place in the second film. And while he offers Rocky his job back later, he takes zero offense when Rocky refuses.

* {{Expy}}: of Chuck Wepner and Rocky Marciano.

* CaptainErsatz: Of UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli. Ali himself suggested to Stallone that Apollo would also be called the Master of Disaster. An announcer says just that in ''Rocky II''.

* {{Expy}}: of UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli and George Foreman. He has the showmanship, charisma, outrageous nicknames, floaty style, and rivalry with the Frazier-equivalent of the former, combined with the patriotism, unstoppable reputation, brawling style, and knockout power of the latter.[[note]]Ali was something of a powder-puncher, only knocking out 15 of his 33 200+ pound opponents (45%; he had a better record against sub-200 opponents, but those wouldn't even be considered heavyweights nowadays) and usually relying on out-jabbing (using his relatively long reach) or running (or crooked judges) to take a decision. He often struggled in his fights and could suffer hard licks even against mid-level cruisers like Henry Cooper or Doug Jones. He admitted that Quarry, Williams, Frazier, and Chuvalo, among others, hit harder than him, and none of these men are exactly knockout artists. Foreman on the other hand was a wrecking ball, knocking out 53 of his 64 200+ pound opponents (83%) and demolishing most of his opponents in early round [[CurbStompBattle Curb Stomp Battles]], including guys who gave Ali hard fights that went the distance like Frazier, Norton, and Chuvalo. Ali was notoriously rebellious towards his country's government, famously going to jail for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War and repeatedly proselytizing about black separatism and the downfall of America (though he mellowed out somewhat later in his career). Foreman made repeated statements about how much he loved his country (he got an award from the American Legion) and proudly held up an American flag at the 1968 Olympics, despite this being only a few years after the Civil Rights Act and near the height of American involvement in the Vietnam War. Interestingly, Foreman earned said gold medal by absolutely demolishing a ''Soviet'' heavyweight; yeah, he had better luck in his USA-USSR bout than poor Creed did.[[/note]]

* CaptainErsatz: Of a young George Foreman and Earnie Shavers. To an extent the first bout between him and Rocky is a fictionalization of the bout where Foreman defeated Joe Frazier (one of the inspirations for Rocky Balboa) to become world heavyweight champion. In that bout Foreman knocked out Frazier in two rounds and knocked Frazier down '''''six times''''' during those two rounds. Like the film there was a rematch; while unlike the film Frazier did better and lasted longer, Foreman once again knocked him out. By complete coincidence, he'd also have a stunning similarity to Creator/MikeTyson, both in his background and his fighting style. As for Shavers, not only does Lang's style and skill bear more resemblance to Shavers' than Foreman's,[[note]]Foreman was tall for the time and had a long reach, as well as underrated technical skills and decent stamina, having gone the distance many times and scored many later round knockouts. He had a good jab and used a lot of uppercuts in addition to his hooks and crosses. Shavers did not have a long reach, nor did he have much technical skill ("a second rate boxer with a first rate punch", as Mike Silver called him), and his stamina was below-average; the bulk of his knockouts came in the very early rounds, while Foreman was still dangerous even in the late rounds. He also relied excessively on hooks. Foreman was a heavyweight champion who held multiple titles and was considered the best boxer of the 70s by many, his only real competition being Ali and Holmes. Shavers was a "gatekeeper" who scored many notable wins and made it to top contender status (his most notable wins being first-round knockouts against former champs Ken Norton and Jimmy Ellis), but was never a champion himself and spent the majority of his career beating on bums, club fighters, and journeymen. The plot of Balboa having to suffer BadassDecay to be defeated by Lang and then crushing him in a rematch after regaining "the eye of the tiger" letting him exhaust his stamina in just a few rounds is much more fitting for a Shavers expy than a Foreman expy.[[/note]] but Shavers was originally supposed to ''play'' Clubber Lang. Can't get any closer than that.

* CaptainErsatz: Of Roy Jones Jr and Floyd "Money" Mayweather. And his penchant for first-round knockouts brings a little bit of Creator/MikeTyson into the character, too. There's also some Michael Moorer in there; Moorer was an undefeated 35-0 (30 knockouts) champion of multiple weight classes when he fought George Foreman, an aging ex champion who came out of retirement in an event initially seen as a joke, only to surprise everyone by ''winning'' against Moorer (albeit, with one good MegatonPunch after getting dominated for ten rounds). This parallels Rocky's own comeback against Dixon, except Rocky was older than Foreman and merely put up a good fight instead of winning. Even their physiques and records are similar- Dixon's record is given as 34-0 with 30 knockouts, and he's played by a light heavyweight and cruiser boxer who has the same build he always had (Antonio Tarver), which could imply some of those fights were held at a lower weight class before he went up to heavyweight (like Moorer).

* {{Expy}}: Damn near a ''clone'' of (in)famous real life boxing promoter Don King.

* FlatCharacter: He wants to fight Rocky... that's it.
* PaperTiger: He became a top contender for the world championship before Rocky retired and becomes champion once Rocky is no longer in the way, so you'd think he'd be able to put up a good fight. Tommy Gunn floors him in the first round after dominating him. (This could be a bonus intended for boxing fans, as Duke's real life counterpart Don King frequently used his influence to get his fighters titles and spots as contenders ahead of more deserving fighters.) The reporters lampshade this when they're deriding Tommy's achievements in the ring.

* SuddenSequelHeelSyndrome: [[spoiler:While she and Ivan were already antagonists in their first appearance in ''Rocky IV'', in their re-appearance in ''Creed II'' it's revealed that she turned on Ivan himself. Turns out that after Ivan was publicly disgraced by his defeat at Rocky's hands, she abandoned him ''and'' their infant son. She later [[GoldDigger remarried a rich guy]] and, while she came back to meet Viktor again and tell him she's proud of him in between his two fights with Adonis, she walks out again when it's apparent he's about to lose the second fight.]]

* AwesomeMcCoolName: '''APOLLO CREED.''' You can't do more awesome than that.

* PyrrhicVillainy: [[spoiler:Tommy casting Rocky aside in favor of sleazy promoter George Washington Duke gets him fame, the heavyweight title, and presumably money, (although considering that the man Duke is an analogue of is absolutely ''notorious'' for cheating and ripping off his fighters, that last one probably shouldn't be automatically assumed) but Tommy's fame is short lived; betraying Rocky makes the press and fans alike turn on him, and getting arrested after losing to an aging Balboa in a street fight probably means that Tommy won't profit from his actions nearly as much as he expected to, if at all.]]

* EvilCounterpart: To Rocky in the first two films. Both are hard hitting southpaw brawlers from the streets and expanded materials give Clubber a criminal past. Clubber just takes it all UpToEleven and has a {{Jerkass}} personality.

->'''Played by:''' Richard Gant (1990)

* FlatCharacter: If you thought Ivan Drago was one dimensional, just wait til you see Union Cane. This guy barely has any screen time or characteristics shown.

* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: At first he is delighted to be Rocky's pupil and the two become friends, but when he finds Rocky gets more attention than he does and the media always compares the two (infavorably in his case), he begins to resent Rocky... see also DudeWheresMyRespect below.

* BlueOni: To Apollo's red. Duke always tries to be the voice of reason whenever Apollo's hotheaded ego gets the better of him, with mixed reasons.

* BlueOni: To Apollo's red.

->'''Voiced in French by:''' Creator/AlainDorval \\

* RedHerring: The next antagonist in the Rocky films? Nope.

[[folder:Adrian Pennino Balboa]]

[[folder:Tommy "The Machine" Gunn]]
[[quoteright:272:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tommygunn_8294.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:272:''"I ain't nobody's robot! Nobody's boy!"'']]
->'''Played by:''' Tommy Morrison (1990)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Franck Capillery\\

Appeared in ''Rocky V''. A poor young man seeking to become a professional fighter, he has left his home in hopes of being trained by the legendary Rocky. At first Rocky refuses, but eventually agrees. Tommy proves a talented student, [[spoiler: but eventually becomes frustrated at the slow pace with which Rocky insists on developing his professional career, believing that he's ready to be champion. This provides an opportunity for unethical promoter George Washingtion Duke to first sign Tommy, then turn him against Rocky.]]

[[folder:Union Cane]]
->'''Played by''': Michael Anthony Williams (1990)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Marc Alfos\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/RockyV''
[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/unnamed_254.jpg]]

Appears in ''Rocky V''. A heavyweight champion who claims the belt shortly after Rocky retires. He is eager to challenge Rocky, but the fight never happens due to the health problems Rocky developed after the fight with Drago in ''Rocky IV''. He eventually takes on Tommy Gunn, only to be knocked out in the first round.
----
* AdaptationalBadass: In ''Rocky Legends'', he is a playable character, and predictably, can last much longer in the ring then he does in the movie.
* FlatCharacter: If you thought Ivan Drago was one dimensional, just wait til you see Union Cane. This guy barely has any screen time or characteristics shown.
* PaperTiger: He became a top contender for the world championship before Rocky retired and becomes champion once Rocky is no longer in the way, so you'd think he'd be able to put up a good fight. Tommy Gunn floors him in the first round after dominating him. (This could be a bonus intended for boxing fans, as Duke's real life counterpart Don King frequently used his influence to get his fighters titles and spots as contenders ahead of more deserving fighters.) The reporters lampshade this when they're deriding Tommy's achievements in the ring.
--> "The guy's a paper champion!"
* RedHerring: The next antagonist in the Rocky films? Nope.
* TheUnfought: Rocky never got to fight him, leaving the title belt his for the taking.
** Applies even in ''Rocky Legends'', where none of the characters in career mode get to face him. Ouch.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tony Gazzo]]
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tony-gazzo-foto_2821.jpg]]
->'''Played by''': Creator/JoeSpinell (1976)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Marc de Georgi\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/{{Rocky}}'' | ''Film/RockyII''

The LoanShark who has Rocky under his employ in the first movie. He orders Rocky around to collect for him, but he's also a nice guy.
----
* BenevolentBoss: Despite conducting illegal business, he's not entirely immoral, and he even gives Rocky extra cash when he feels that Rocky needs it, no strings attached.
* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: Gazzo is never seen again after ''Rocky II'', although he gets a passing mention in ''Rocky V''. Even with Paulie down on his luck in ''Rocky III'', Gazzo has not been mentioned once. In a deleted scene of ''Rocky Balboa'', he does get mentioned again.
* DeathByAdaptation: In the novelisation of ''Rocky IV'', it's mentioned that Gazzo was killed sometime before Rocky traveled to Russia.
* NiceGuy: To Rocky. He's also nice enough to allow Paulie to take Rocky's place in the second film. And while he offers Rocky his job back later, he takes zero offense when Rocky refuses.
[[/folder]]

!Rocky's Opponents

!!''Rocky'' & ''Rocky II''

!!''Rocky III''

!!''Rocky IV''

!!''Rocky V''

!!''Rocky Balboa''

[[folder:Tony "Duke" Evers]]
->'''Played by''': Creator/TonyBurton
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Robert Liensol (I and IV), Daniel Gall (II), Georges Atlas (III), Michel Vocoret (V), Emmanuel Gomès Dekset (Balboa)\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/{{Rocky}}'' | ''Film/RockyII'' | ''Film/RockyIII'' | ''Film/RockyIV'' | ''Film/RockyV'' | ''Film/RockyBalboa''
[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tonyduke_1764.gif]]
[[caption-width-right:320:''"No pain! No pain!"'']]

Apollo's trainer and friend, he also trains Rocky for the bout with Drago in the fourth movie and returns to train Rocky again in ''Rocky Balboa''.

* AscendedExtra: In the first movie, he is a secondary character who goes unnamed in the film. In the sequels, he gains a more prominent role and is the only character besides Rocky and Paulie to appear in every movie, not counting the ''Creed'' films.
* BadassBoast:
** In ''IV'': "No pain. No pain. ''NO PAIN''.
** In ''Balboa'': "Let's build some hurting bombs!"
* BigNo: When [[spoiler:Drago lands the fatal punch on Apollo in ''IV'']].
* BlueOni: To Apollo's red.
* BrutalHonesty /CassandraTruth: He was one of the few people (in Apollo's camp or out of it) who realized just how serious a potential threat the previously unknown underdog Rocky really was, and tried to warn Apollo not to take the challenger lightly. And in II, when Apollo is relentlessly pursuing a rematch against Balboa, Tony tells his protege' that in no uncertain terms a Creed victory in the second bout would by no means be certain:

-->'''Apollo:''' What are you afraid of, Tony?
-->'''Tony:''' Honest?
-->'''Apollo:''' Yeah, honest.
-->'''Tony:''' I saw you [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown beat that man like I never saw no man get beat before]]...and '''[[TheDeterminator the man kept coming after you.]]''' We don't '''NEED''' that kind of man in our life!
* TheBusCameBack: In ''Balboa'', he may have returned half way in, but man does he leave an impression.
* BusCrash: [[spoiler:He dies in-between ''Creed'' and ''Creed 2'']].
* CoolOldGuy: His moustache has turned grey by the time of ''Balboa'', and he retains his sage awesomeness.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: In the video game: ''Rocky Legends'', Duke is the first opponent Apollo fights. Winning has Duke telling Apollo that he plans to retire, but is willing to train him all the way through.
* HonestAdvisor: To both Apollo, and to Rocky in ''III'', ''IV'', and ''Balboa''.
* LikeASonToMe: Duke confines with Rocky in ''IV'' that [[spoiler: Apollo was like a son to him]].
* OlderAndWiser: In ''Rocky Balboa''.
* OnlySaneMan: In both ''Rocky I'' and ''II''. While neither Apollo nor anyone on his team is insane, Duke is the only one who sees how dangerous Rocky is. He's trying to do his job as Apollo's manager (protect Apollo and plan his schedule very carefully so that there are no surprises). Throughout ''I'' and ''II'', Duke tries to warn Apollo about the dangers that Rocky will give him, to no avail.
* RetiredBadass: Former professional boxer turned trainer.
* SmartPeoplePlayChess: IV sees Duke beat a Soviet handler in a game.
* TrainingFromHell: In ''IV'', he acknowledges to Rocky that his training will be tougher than ever, and is happy to provide such.

!!''Rocky III''

[[folder:Thunderlips]]
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/thunderlips_1.png]]
[[caption-width-right:200:''"No one can believe the superhuman strength of Thunderlips! I am the man!"'']]
->'''Played by:''' Wrestling/HulkHogan (1982)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Jacques Richard\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/RockyIII''

->''" To all my love slaves out there: Thunderlips is here. In the flesh, baby. The ultimate male versus... the ultimate meatball."''

A wrestler who participates in a charity event boxer vs wrestler match. He puts on quite a show against Rocky, and by extension, the immediate crowd that participated. In the end of it, he compliments Rocky and his pals and has a photo shoot with him.

* TheAce: He IS the wrestling world champion at the time of ''Rocky III''.
* AtrociousAlias: His lips are made of thunder? Does he emit thunder when he kisses? A reference to his trash talking, bombastic personality? Whatever the truth might be, there were better names out there.
* TheBigGuy: In the mid-ring staredown, Rocky is at eye level with his nipples.
* {{Heel}}: He antagonizes the crowd before his charity match with Rocky, and acts like a dangerously violent lunatic in the ring.
* LargeHam: Par of the course, and Hogan doesn't disappoint. He's also this InUniverse, since he adopts a completely different, over the top persona for his matches and in hyping up the crowd.
* LightningBruiser: He' a full head taller than Rocky and able to pick him up and throw him around with ease, yet as Rocky himself notes, very fast for his size.
* MeanCharacterNiceActor: He spends the entire match playing the {{Heel}} to the hilt, but afterwards he breaks {{Kayfabe}} to shake Rocky's hand, congratulate him on a good match and take some promotion photos, and goes to great length to ensure that there are no hard feelings. There's also the fact that the match was a charity bout that raised nearly $75,000.
--> '''Rocky:''' Yo why were you so rough out there?
--> '''Thunderlips:''' ''[[ItsWhatIDo That's the name of the game.]]''
* RedBaron: The Ultimate Male, A Mountain Of Molten Lust.
* WrestlingMonster: Oh hell yeah.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Clubber Lang]]
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/clubberlang_6561.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:''"I am ranked #1. 1! That means I'm the best."'']]
->'''Played by:''' Creator/MrT (1982)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Pierre Garin\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/RockyIII'' | ''Film/RockyIV'' (archive footage) | ''Film/RockyV'' (archive footage)

->''"This country wants to keep me down. Keep everybody weak. They don't want a man like me to have the title, because I'm not a puppet like that fool up there."''

The antagonist of the third film, he is a brutal {{Jerkass}} of a fighter shaped by the streets into a fearsome opponent. While Rocky enjoys the high life as champion, Lang cuts a swath through the heavyweight ranks, mercilessly knocking out anyone he faces. Mickey quickly becomes aware of what a dangerous man he is, and desperately wants to avoid a bout between him and Rocky.
----

[[folder:Ludmilla Vobet Drago]]
->'''Played by''': Creator/BrigitteNielsen (1985, 2018)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Michelle Bardolet\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/RockyIV'' | ''Film/CreedII''
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/415299-ludmilla_vobet_drago_3806.jpg]]

Ivan Drago's wife, who basically acts as manager and mouthpiece for Ivan Drago, helping to guide her husband's career.

* AdaptationalBadass: It says something when being a playable fighter in ''Rocky Legends'' means she can take on Rocky or her own husband in a fair fight. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnCiZfdSdOc See for yourself.]]
* AscendedExtra: In the X-Box version of ''Rocky Legends'', she is a playable character, making her the only female boxer in the game.
* BitchInSheepsClothing: During the intro to the fight between Drago and Creed, Ludmilla approaches Creed's wife and states that she hopes they can be friends afterwards as this is meant to be a friendly match. However, when Drago lands the killing blow, she gives a very sadistic smile when Creed falls.
* BlatantLies: In response to widespread rumors that her husband obtained his inhuman power via doping and steroids, she denies this vehemently and jovially tells reporters that "Drago is naturally trained"... right before Drago exhibits a [[MegatonPunch punch]] ''three times more powerful than the boxing heavyweight average''. And Drago is shown being injected with ''something'' during his later training montage....
* FairWeatherFriend: [[spoiler: To her own family. She abandons her husband and son when Ivan loses to Rocky, and only returns when their son Viktor, (who she hadn't seen or spoken to in years) becomes a successful boxer, and then abandons him again when its clear he will lose.]]
* GoldDigger: Strongly implied, [[spoiler:with how Creed II revealed that she ditched her husband post-victory and remarried someone successful later.]]
* HappilyMarried: Whatever else, she and Drago appear to care for each other. [[spoiler:Subverted in ''Creed II'' where it's revealed she abandoned him and their son Viktor after his loss.]]
* HateSink: In a series full of good parents, Ludmilla not only left Ivan due to losing to Rocky, but abandoned their son, then only returned when it seemed that Viktor may be successful again, [[spoiler: only to ditch Viktor for good, even when he seems poised to take serious damage in the ring, all without a care.]]
* {{Hypocrite}}: In addition to lying about Ivan taking steroids, all while making a joke comparing him to WesternAnimation/{{Popeye}}, her loving supporting wife persona is ultimately revealed to be an act for the sake of convenience.
* InformedAbility: She is labeled early on as a Soviet Olympic swimmer, but this is a series about boxing, and as such this isn't shown.
* ParentalAbandonment: [[spoiler:Walked out on Drago and their young son Viktor after Drago's disgrace. She walks out on them again after Adonis starts laying the smackdown on Viktor during their second fight.]]
* TheSmurfettePrinciple: She is the only female fighter in ''Rocky Legends''.
* StatuesqueStunner: A given as she's played by the 6'1'' (185 cm) Brigitte Nielsen.
* SuddenSequelHeelSyndrome: [[spoiler:While she and Ivan were already antagonists in their first appearance in ''Rocky IV'', in their re-appearance in ''Creed II'' it's revealed that she turned on Ivan himself. Turns out that after Ivan was publicly disgraced by his defeat at Rocky's hands, she abandoned him ''and'' their infant son. She later [[GoldDigger remarried a rich guy]] and, while she came back to meet Viktor again and tell him she's proud of him in between his two fights with Adonis, she walks out again when it's apparent he's about to lose the second fight.]]
* VoiceForTheVoiceless: {{Subverted|Trope}}. It's not that Ivan never speaks, but she speaks for him when she needs to, mostly when in front of the press.

!!''Rocky V''

[[folder:George Washington Duke]]
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/287151443c.png]]
[[caption-width-right:300:''"You say you a fighter, then fight! And I'll make you so much money you can swim in it. You can swim, can't you?"'']]
->'''Played by:''' Richard Gant (1990)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Patrick Floersheim\\

->''"You've got to challenge that man to fight, Tommy Gunn. And if he refuses, you gotta INSULT him, YOU GOTTA DOG HIM, you gotta humiliate him! You gotta do WHATEVER you got to do to get him into that ring! BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU GOT TO DO."''

Appears in ''Rocky V''. A powerful and extremely unprincipled boxing promoter who is trying to capitalize on getting current Heavyweight Champion, Union Cane, into a match with the legendary ex-champion, Rocky Balboa. Due to Rocky's injuries, both he and Adrian decline to take the bout, but Duke tries anything, and ''everything'', he can to coerce Rocky into it.

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Duke wanted a sanctioned fight between Rocky and Union Cane. When he didn't get that, [[spoiler: he tries to get one for Rocky and Tommy Gunn. He got it, but it wasn't sanctioned...]]
* TheChessmaster: The man has schemes on top of schemes, and there's always a fall back option when one of those schemes doesn't work out. [[spoiler:Until his attempts to get Rocky and Tommy so angry at each other that they'll do anything to fight each other winds up in them getting into a ''street fight'' rather than a boxing match.]]
* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Of the fight promoter variety. He's a greedy boxing promoter, and is notably the only villain in the ''Rocky'' series ''(Film/{{Creed}} included)'' that is [[HateSink genuinely hate-able]] and lacks ''any'' [[LikableVillain redeeming or sympathetic qualities]].
* {{Determinator}}: He tries everything he can think of to get Rocky back into the ring. Get him to lose all his money? Check. Try to convince him that he doesn't have brain damage? Check. [[spoiler: Steals away Tommy Gunn for a more elaborate scheme later? Check. Bribes Rocky and his family with birthday gifts before rubbing in his face that Tommy Gunn is now with him? Check. Finally has Tommy humiliated just so he can personally force Rocky out of retirement?]] Ccccheck!
* DidntThinkThisThrough: [[spoiler:He intended Tommy to force Rocky out of retirement for a prize fight. He never counted on Rocky to say "my ring's outside."]]
* EvilMentor: [[spoiler: He steals Tommy Gunn away from Rocky, with promises of fame and fortune. He even intentionally stages the championship fight just so Tommy can garner ridicule, driving him to challenge Rocky, as Duke knew that a "master versus apprentice" battle is much more profitable than a regular title bout.]]
* {{Expy}}: Damn near a ''clone'' of (in)famous real life boxing promoter Don King.
* FauxAffablyEvil: He acts friendly but it's all an act.
* {{Jerkass}}: '''''And how!'''''
* KarmaHoudini: His punishment for turning Tommy against Rocky and ruining Tommy's career is... [[DisproportionateRetribution to be punched by Rocky onto the front of a car]]. Though this feeling is somewhat softened by the fact that he has presumably also lost Tommy's trust and respect. Also Rocky and Tommy having the street fight at the end of the climax ruined Duke's chance of making money off a boxing match between the two which had been his primary motive through out the second half of the movie.
* LargeHam: A larger than life attitude is all part of the game for a fight promoter.
* LaserGuidedKarma: [[spoiler:He's willing to ruin the lives and careers of fighters by ignoring pesky issues like "health risks". At the end of the movie he gets a little taste of what fighters go through, and all his wealth and legal maneuvering didn't help him much. Doubly so if you believe the theory that he was responsible for Rocky losing his fortune, which is exactly what makes his threat to sue Rocky ineffective.]]
--> [[spoiler:'''Duke:''' Touch me and I'll sue.]]
--> [[spoiler:'''Rocky:''' *uppercuts Duke, launching him onto his car* Sue me for ''what?!'']]
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: He was based on Don King, right down to using his CatchPhrase "Only in America".
* NonActionBigBad: The sole ''Rocky'' antagonist with no fighting ability at all.
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: He doesn't care if one match with Rocky could possibly disable him, or even kill him. What matters to him is that he profits from the match, and he'll do anything to make that happen. Sometimes, he's so ''open'' about his greed and the pursuit of money that he sounds like a CardCarryingVillain.
* RichesToRags: It's implied that he was the cause of Rocky losing his fortune.
* ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney: As far as he's concerned, money is more powerful than rules any day, and he assumes that everyone else thinks this way too.
* SmugSnake: Cocky enough to threaten Rocky to sue if he gets hurt. [[spoiler: Rocky wipes the grin off his face.]]
* VillainHasAPoint: Tommy should have listened to Duke when he warned that Rocky has more experience in street fighting than him.
* VillainousBSOD: [[spoiler:His one humanizing moment in the whole thing is when the aged Rocky makes a comeback against his champ in the street, and while everyone else is cheering, he reacts with a stunned, "God-damn... only in America." For once, he sounds like he means it.]]

[[folder:Tommy "The Machine" Gunn]]
[[quoteright:272:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tommygunn_8294.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:272:''"I ain't nobody's robot! Nobody's boy!"'']]
->'''Played by:''' Tommy Morrison (1990)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Franck Capillery\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/RockyV''

Appeared in ''Rocky V''. A poor young man seeking to become a professional fighter, he has left his home in hopes of being trained by the legendary Rocky. At first Rocky refuses, but eventually agrees. Tommy proves a talented student, [[spoiler: but eventually becomes frustrated at the slow pace with which Rocky insists on developing his professional career, believing that he's ready to be champion. This provides an opportunity for unethical promoter George Washingtion Duke to first sign Tommy, then turn him against Rocky.]]

* AbusiveParents: His father used to beat him and his mother until he grew up and left his home. His first instance of fighting prowess was giving the old man a taste of his own medicine. This is where all of Tommy's aggression and rage comes from as he pictures his opponents as his father to unleash all of his wrath upon.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: At first he is delighted to be Rocky's pupil and the two become friends, but when he finds Rocky gets more attention than he does and the media always compares the two (infavorably in his case), he begins to resent Rocky... see also DudeWheresMyRespect below.
* AntiVillain: Sure, he handles the situation with Rocky ''horribly'', but at the end of the day, he's a poor kid desperate for a chance in the limelight. When he eventually ''does'' go somewhere, he's immediately manipulated by Duke, who buys his loyalty with money. Not to mention, when he wins the title his whole life's been building up to, he's met with nothing but hate, being constantly judged (negatively) against Rocky, with his accomplishments being pretty much worthless, since the public considered Union Cane an easy win. Taken further in one alternate ending, where Rocky offers a truce to Tommy after their fight, which he accepts.
* AllForNothing: Becomes the heavyweight champion, like he dreamed of, but is booed off the stage, considered more of an extension of Rocky than a fighter in his own right, and presumably ends up losing it all after George Washington Duke cuts ties with him following his street brawl with Rocky.
* AscendedFanboy: Tommy has been a big fan of Rocky when he was younger. He took a trip to Philadelphia, with risks included, just so he could ask Rocky if he can be trained. He sure is gleeful when he accepts.
* TheBerserker: During his first sparring session, he literally [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown beats the crap out of his sparring partner]]. His fighting style is extremely aggressive; he also goes into UnstoppableRage during his fights. Rocky compares his boxing style to that of a street fighter.
* CorruptTheCutie: [[spoiler: He may be aggressive, but at one time he was a genuinely nice guy who just had some personal issues that needed to be ironed out. Then GW Duke got ahold of him. Paulie even saw this coming.]]
--> [[spoiler: '''Paulie:''' The ship's sinking, Rocko.]]
* TheDogBitesBack: He notes the first person he punched out was his abusive dad.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: The news media relished making him out as if he's Rocky's puppet. [[spoiler: Even after winning the title, everyone ''still'' berated him for a variety of reasons, almost all of which Rocky related (he can never measure up to Rocky, leaving Rocky for GW Duke, etc.); this eventually fuels his need to take Rocky on.]]
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler: From humble, eager, and respectful with Rocky, to mean, angry, and irrational with Duke.]]
* FreudianExcuse: Tommy definitely has Daddy issues, as he elaborates early on. [[spoiler: He may have projected some of them onto Rocky by the end of the movie.]]
--> "My dad was the first guy I punched out. Every time I go into the ring, I see him again."
* FromNobodyToNightmare: From a poor kid with daddy issues alone on the streets of an unfamiliar city to World Heavyweight Champion to [[spoiler:a crazy aggressive punk willing to attack his former father figure, (and anybody that tries to help said father figure) in public.]]
* HairTriggerTemper: Tommy easily loses his temper and can never really control it.
* HotBlooded: His passion for fighting and to become champion makes him an aggressive fighter.
* {{Irony}}: His main reason for turning on Rocky is his rancor at being regarded as "Rocky's puppet", and to get out from under that perceived slight, he comes under the wing of [[ManipulativeBastard G.W. Duke]], who '''TRULY''' makes him a puppet.
* LonelyAtTheTop: [[spoiler: Thanks to Rocky, he becomes a contender for the heavyweight belt, but dumps Rocky for GW Duke just so he can get the fame and money he wants faster. He gets his title, but gains no respect from anyone, mostly because he abandons Rocky. When he takes on Balboa in the street fight and loses, he may still be the champion, but only on paper to many, MANY people as an aging Rocky can still beat him down. Being arrested and having Duke disown him afterwards also doesn't help his case.]]
* NormalFishInATinyPond: His critics in-universe contend that he wouldn't have been particularly special in Rocky and Apollo's era, and that he only ascends to the heavyweight championship of the world because Union Cane was a PaperTiger of a champ compared to the former. This is proven more or less right by the end of the film, where a middle-aged Rocky decks Tommy in a street fight, with the bout only being close because Tommy [[DirtyCoward throws a sucker punch to Rocky's back]] after he was knocked down the first time.
* NiceJobFixingItVillain: [[spoiler: Duke encourages Tommy to get angry and get Rocky to fight him. Punching Paulie in the face gets Rocky angry all right; angry enough to get a street brawl going on. Not ''quite'' the type of fight Duke had in mind...]]
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: [[spoiler:A big reason why Don King [[CaptainErsatz ersatz]] George Washington Duke convinces him to dump Rocky as his manager is because Duke can get Tommy much more cash than Rocky.]]
* PaperTiger: Like Rocky, Tommy doesn't really bother defending himself during fights. Unfortunately for him, he's nowhere near as durable as Rocky.
* PassingTheTorch: Rocky provides Tommy the same shorts Apollo gave him later in his career.
* PunnyName: Referring to the Thompson submachine gun, or tommy gun as it's often called.
* APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil: [[spoiler: Starts the film pleading with Rocky to have Rocky train and teach him, eventually sells out and throws Rocky aside. He even refused to thank Balboa for his success at getting the title belt.]]
* PyrrhicVillainy: [[spoiler:Tommy casting Rocky aside in favor of sleazy promoter George Washington Duke gets him fame, the heavyweight title, and presumably money, (although considering that the man Duke is an analogue of is absolutely ''notorious'' for cheating and ripping off his fighters, that last one probably shouldn't be automatically assumed) but Tommy's fame is short lived; betraying Rocky makes the press and fans alike turn on him, and getting arrested after losing to an aging Balboa in a street fight probably means that Tommy won't profit from his actions nearly as much as he expected to, if at all.]]
* RedBaron: Tommy "The Machine" Gunn.
* TrueFinalBoss: [[spoiler: In ''Rocky Legends'', Career mode for Rocky went on and on until he takes on Tommy in a street brawl match, much like how career mode started.]]
* UngratefulBastard: Tommy casts Rocky aside even though Rocky supported him in his career and let him stay in his house free of charge. To be fair, the media and Duke turned him against Rocky by making him believe that Rocky was only using him to regain his glory.
* UnskilledButStrong: His natural approach is to simply brute force his way through fights, though he gets a bit more skilled after Rocky starts training and managing him.
* UnstoppableRage: The first time we see him fight, he is shown to be overly aggressive and gives a sparring partner a nasty beating. Thanks to Rocky, he's managed to control it [[spoiler: until the street fight scene where the press, GW Duke's speech to him, and Paulie calling him out all lead to him wanting to draw Rocky's blood.]]
* WalkingSpoiler There's only so much you can say about him without spoiling his [[spoiler:FaceHeelTurn, and subsequent actions]].
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: After his arrest and (presumed) loss of his title, it isn't known what became of Tommy. He isn't mentioned in ''Rocky Balboa'' or the ''Creed'' movies. Stallone stated that Tommy's offscreen fate was getting a career as a third-rate wrestler.

[[folder:Union Cane]]
->'''Played by''': Michael Anthony Williams (1990)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Marc Alfos\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/RockyV''
[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/unnamed_254.jpg]]


Appears in ''Rocky V''. A heavyweight champion who claims the belt shortly after Rocky retires. He is eager to challenge Rocky, but the fight never happens due to the health problems Rocky developed after the fight with Drago in ''Rocky IV''. He eventually takes on Tommy Gunn, only to be knocked out in the first round.

* AdaptationalBadass: In ''Rocky Legends'', he is a playable character, and predictably, can last much longer in the ring then he does in the movie.
* FlatCharacter: If you thought Ivan Drago was one dimensional, just wait til you see Union Cane. This guy barely has any screen time or characteristics shown.
* PaperTiger: He became a top contender for the world championship before Rocky retired and becomes champion once Rocky is no longer in the way, so you'd think he'd be able to put up a good fight. Tommy Gunn floors him in the first round after dominating him. (This could be a bonus intended for boxing fans, as Duke's real life counterpart Don King frequently used his influence to get his fighters titles and spots as contenders ahead of more deserving fighters.) The reporters lampshade this when they're deriding Tommy's achievements in the ring.
--> "The guy's a paper champion!"
* RedHerring: The next antagonist in the Rocky films? Nope.
* TheUnfought: Rocky never got to fight him, leaving the title belt his for the taking.
** Applies even in ''Rocky Legends'', where none of the characters in career mode get to face him. Ouch.

!!''Rocky Balboa''

[[folder:Mason "The Line" Dixon]]
[[quoteright:225:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/masondixon_1791.jpg]]
->'''Played by:''' Antonio Tarver (2006)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Daniel Lobé\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/RockyBalboa''

->''"You want me to fight a guy I can beat with both hands tied behind my back?"''

A successful and dominant heavyweight champion from the 2000s, he has everything (money, friends, women, etc) except the respect of the people, who see him constantly winning his fights with such ease that they assume his opponents must be hopeless bums. As a result, the only people who seem a fair match for Dixon are the greats of the past, and when a computer simulation shows Dixon losing by KO to a prime Rocky Balboa, Dixon's management sees it as an interesting chance for an exhibition just as Rocky is looking at getting his boxing license back.

* TheAce: He's the ''undisputed'' heavyweight champion of the world, meaning that he either defeated ''all'' the world champions before him and unified the belts or defeated the guy who did it. He's so good that nobody takes him seriously because he doesn't appear to have faced any real challenges.
* CaptainErsatz: Of Roy Jones Jr and Floyd "Money" Mayweather. And his penchant for first-round knockouts brings a little bit of Creator/MikeTyson into the character, too. There's also some Michael Moorer in there; Moorer was an undefeated 35-0 (30 knockouts) champion of multiple weight classes when he fought George Foreman, an aging ex champion who came out of retirement in an event initially seen as a joke, only to surprise everyone by ''winning'' against Moorer (albeit, with one good MegatonPunch after getting dominated for ten rounds). This parallels Rocky's own comeback against Dixon, except Rocky was older than Foreman and merely put up a good fight instead of winning. Even their physiques and records are similar- Dixon's record is given as 34-0 with 30 knockouts, and he's played by a light heavyweight and cruiser boxer who has the same build he always had (Antonio Tarver), which could imply some of those fights were held at a lower weight class before he went up to heavyweight (like Moorer).
* CurbStompBattle: Apparently every single one of his fights, [[DeconstructedTrope which the audience finds boring]].
* DiabolusExMachina: The fight with Rocky is only challenging because he accidentally breaks his hand early on with a poorly-thrown jab in a freak accident.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: Despite being the current Heavyweight champion and undefeated, he didn't got any respect from the crowd. He did get it after his fight with Balboa. There's a bit of TruthInTelevision here. There have been many fighters who didn't get the respect they deserve because the guys around are nowhere near their level. Therefore, it creates the illusion that a dominant champion is fighting nothing but bums. In contrast, Muhammad Ali received plaudits not just because of his tremendous skills, but because of the high level of the other heavyweights around, nearly all of whom Ali fought and beat.
* EarnYourHappyEnding: Mason spends much of the movie bitter about being disrespected by the general public due to constantly never having gone up against someone who could really challenge him. After achieving exactly that against Rocky the crowd finally gives him the respect he deserves.
* HeelFaceRevolvingDoor: In rewrites to the script, it's fairly clear that the writers didn't know what direction to take his character. Throughout the movie, he pinballs back and forth between an egotistical athlete looking out for his legacy, to an honest boxer fed up with the chicanery and politics in the boxing promotion world, to a prima donna with no respect whatsoever for Rocky and his accomplishments. [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools Surprisingly, it accidentally develops a very three dimensional character.]]
* HeroAntagonist: He's only really the film's antagonist by virtue of being Rocky's opponent and is otherwise just a guy trying to make his way in the boxing world. Rocky and him ultimately end the film on good terms.
* InvincibleHero: The exhibition fight against Rocky goes down largely because Dixon's winning streak against perceived weak opposition has boxing fans bored.
* LonelyAtTheTop: Heavyweight Champion and undefeated, but is anything but loved by the crowds. Not because he's a bad guy, but because his fights are too easy. It doesn't help that his managers also don't respect him very much as they're more motivated by [[OnlyInItForTheMoney money than gaining him respect.]]
* OlderHeroVersusYoungerVillain: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]] in that Mason isn't truly a "villain" but he is the chief opponent Rocky faces. A major advantage he has is that he's young and in his prime while Rocky is old and [[DentedIron worn down]] from his repeated battles.
* OpposingSportsTeam: PlayedWith. In-universe, he is seen as such, as his extreme talent has made him an unsympathetic wrecking ball whose fights are never even close - yet put up against Rocky, with a broken hand and completely out of shape, he proves as much a {{Determinator}} as the titular underdog and wins the respect of the crowd in doing so.
* PunnyName: For those who don't get the joke, the Mason-Dixon line was the result of a compromise in 19th century American Politics on where slavery would be legal. South of the line it was legal, north of the line it was not.
* VillainsOutShopping: Not really a villain, but we first see him playing basketball with some friends.
* WorthyOpponent: Mason treated the idea of fighting an old Rocky as a joke, but he does respect him on a personal level, and later respects him as a great fighter during the match.

[[folder:Marie]]
[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/68540_16186.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:320:''"You hope I don't keep actin' like a whore or I'll turn into one, right?"'']]
[[caption-width-right:320:[[labelnote:Click here to see Marie as she appears in ''Rocky Balboa''.]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rb_geraldine_hughes.jpg[[/labelnote]]]]
->'''Played by:''' Jodi Letizia (I, 1976), and Geraldine Hughes (Balboa, 2006)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Catherine Lafond (I), Léa Gabriele (Balboa)\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/{{Rocky}}'' | ''Film/RockyBalboa''

->''"It doesn't matter how this looks to other people. If this is something you gotta do, then you do it. Fighters fight."''

Marie is the young girl in ''Rocky I'' who has been hanging out with other juvenile delinquents. Rocky tries to guide her away from them, and it seems he is unsuccessful at first. But as it turns out, she did turn her life around, getting married and having a son. Years later she becomes friends with Rocky and catches up on old times. When we see her again in ''Rocky Balboa'', she is working in a bar to support herself and her teenage son, having broken from her husband. She eventually becomes a hostess at Rocky's restaurant, as well as his moral support.

* TheNotLoveInterest: She and Rocky clearly have feelings for each other, and there are a handful of instances where it appears they will kiss, but their relationship never graduates to a romantic level.
* ProgressivelyPrettier: In ''Rocky Balboa'', she becomes less shy and a little more prettier as the movie progresses. Crosses over with SheCleansUpNicely.
* RandomSmokingScene: The first and last time we saw her in a Rocky movie, til 30 years later...
* ShrinkingViolet: In a deleted scene, she is implied to be one towards Rocky until the guy in the wheelchair (only present in this scene) convinces her to go with Rocky for a safe ride home.
* UngratefulBastard: Rocky, in a show of his own inner goodness, convinces Marie to quit smoking and seek out better friends and to stay in school, and he even walks her home. Her response? "Screw you, creepo!" Becomes funny, and tragic when you see her in ''Rocky Balboa''...

[[folder:Spider Rico]]
[[quoteright:323:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/604433-604432-spider_rico_pedro_lovell_large_4870.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:323: Left: ''Rocky Balboa''. Right: ''Rocky I'']]
->'''Played by''': Pedro Lovell\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/{{Rocky}}'' | ''Film/RockyBalboa''

The first opponent we see Rocky take on in the first movie. We don't see him again until ''Rocky Balboa'', where he is an employee and friend of his old opponent.
----
* AscendedExtra: He goes from being a fighter irrelevant to the story that goes uncredited, to being Rocky's old friend.
* CoolOldGuy: Even though Rocky beat him long before, he's still the only guy to backtalk Rocky without getting hit.
--> '''Spider:''' [[CallBack Don't make me fight you again.]] Last time you got lucky.
* RealMenLoveJesus: By ''Rocky Balboa'', he appears to be a devoted Christian and prays with Balboa before his match with Mason.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Clubber Lang]]
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/clubberlang_6561.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:''"I am ranked #1. 1! That means I'm the best."'']]
->'''Played by:''' Creator/MrT (1982)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Pierre Garin\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/RockyIII'' | ''Film/RockyIV'' (archive footage) | ''Film/RockyV'' (archive footage)

->''"This country wants to keep me down. Keep everybody weak. They don't want a man like me to have the title, because I'm not a puppet like that fool up there."''

The antagonist of the third film, he is a brutal {{Jerkass}} of a fighter shaped by the streets into a fearsome opponent. While Rocky enjoys the high life as champion, Lang cuts a swath through the heavyweight ranks, mercilessly knocking out anyone he faces. Mickey quickly becomes aware of what a dangerous man he is, and desperately wants to avoid a bout between him and Rocky.

[[folder:Thunderlips]]
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/thunderlips_1.png]]
[[caption-width-right:200:''"No one can believe the superhuman strength of Thunderlips! I am the man!"'']]
->'''Played by:''' Wrestling/HulkHogan (1982)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Jacques Richard\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/RockyIII''

->''" To all my love slaves out there: Thunderlips is here. In the flesh, baby. The ultimate male versus... the ultimate meatball."''

A wrestler who participates in a charity event boxer vs wrestler match. He puts on quite a show against Rocky, and by extension, the immediate crowd that participated. In the end of it, he compliments Rocky and his pals and has a photo shoot with him.

* TheAce: He IS the wrestling world champion at the time of ''Rocky III''.
* AtrociousAlias: His lips are made of thunder? Does he emit thunder when he kisses? A reference to his trash talking, bombastic personality? Whatever the truth might be, there were better names out there.
* TheBigGuy: In the mid-ring staredown, Rocky is at eye level with his nipples.
* {{Heel}}: He antagonizes the crowd before his charity match with Rocky, and acts like a dangerously violent lunatic in the ring.
* LargeHam: Par of the course, and Hogan doesn't disappoint. He's also this InUniverse, since he adopts a completely different, over the top persona for his matches and in hyping up the crowd.
* LightningBruiser: He' a full head taller than Rocky and able to pick him up and throw him around with ease, yet as Rocky himself notes, very fast for his size.
* MeanCharacterNiceActor: He spends the entire match playing the {{Heel}} to the hilt, but afterwards he breaks {{Kayfabe}} to shake Rocky's hand, congratulate him on a good match and take some promotion photos, and goes to great length to ensure that there are no hard feelings. There's also the fact that the match was a charity bout that raised nearly $75,000.
--> '''Rocky:''' Yo why were you so rough out there?
--> '''Thunderlips:''' ''[[ItsWhatIDo That's the name of the game.]]''
* RedBaron: The Ultimate Male, A Mountain Of Molten Lust.
* WrestlingMonster: Oh hell yeah.

[[folder:Marie]]
[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/68540_16186.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:320:''"You hope I don't keep actin' like a whore or I'll turn into one, right?"'']]
[[caption-width-right:320:[[labelnote:Click here to see Marie as she appears in ''Rocky Balboa''.]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rb_geraldine_hughes.jpg[[/labelnote]]]]
->'''Played by:''' Jodi Letizia (I, 1976), and Geraldine Hughes (Balboa, 2006)
->'''Voiced in French by:''' Catherine Lafond (I), Léa Gabriele (Balboa)\\
'''Appearances:''' ''Film/{{Rocky}}'' | ''Film/RockyBalboa''

->''"It doesn't matter how this looks to other people. If this is something you gotta do, then you do it. Fighters fight."''

Marie is the young girl in ''Rocky I'' who has been hanging out with other juvenile delinquents. Rocky tries to guide her away from them, and it seems he is unsuccessful at first. But as it turns out, she did turn her life around, getting married and having a son. Years later she becomes friends with Rocky and catches up on old times. When we see her again in ''Rocky Balboa'', she is working in a bar to support herself and her teenage son, having broken from her husband. She eventually becomes a hostess at Rocky's restaurant, as well as his moral support.
----
* TheNotLoveInterest: She and Rocky clearly have feelings for each other, and there are a handful of instances where it appears they will kiss, but their relationship never graduates to a romantic level.
* ProgressivelyPrettier: In ''Rocky Balboa'', she becomes less shy and a little more prettier as the movie progresses. Crosses over with SheCleansUpNicely.
* RandomSmokingScene: The first and last time we saw her in a Rocky movie, til 30 years later...
* ShrinkingViolet: In a deleted scene, she is implied to be one towards Rocky until the guy in the wheelchair (only present in this scene) convinces her to go with Rocky for a safe ride home.
* UngratefulBastard: Rocky, in a show of his own inner goodness, convinces Marie to quit smoking and seek out better friends and to stay in school, and he even walks her home. Her response? "Screw you, creepo!" Becomes funny, and tragic when you see her in ''Rocky Balboa''...
[[/folder]]

* IWasQuiteALooker: While still in great shape in ''Creed 2'', he's definitely worse for wear after spending decades living in poverty in the Ukraine, having yellowed teeth, and fully gray hair despite being in his mid-fifties at most.

* MegatonPunch: He wields a punch force of over 2000 psi.

** Ultimately subverted, in relative terms. At 70+ in the ''Creed'' films, Rocky is still coherent and able-bodied despite taking thousands of punches to the head throughout his career, to the point that Rock developing ''cavum septi pellucidi'' from cranial trauma was a significant plot point in ''V'' and a factor in his retirement. When you compare him to real life boxers who suffered severe CTE like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8DXiCr3-jE James Toney]] or [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVOoDdRTAAM Jerry Quarry]], the difference is staggering.

** Ultimately subverted, in relative terms. At 70+ in the ''Creed'' films, Rocky is still coherent and able-bodied despite taking thousands of punches to the head throughout his career. Compare him to real life boxers who suffered severe CTE like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8DXiCr3-jE James Toney]] or [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVOoDdRTAAM Jerry Quarry]]. The difference is staggering.

-->'''Duke:''' You got him beat on points now just stick and move! This man is breaking you up inside! Stick and move!\\
'''Apollo:'''(hurt and exhausted) He's gonna fall, he's gonna fall. Ain't gonna be like last time, ain't gonna be like last time.