By what type of decision does Apollo Creed beat Rocky in the first film?

Apollo Creed beats Rocky Balboa in the first film by split decision.

The bout goes the full 15 rounds, and the judges do not agree unanimously. Two judges score the fight for Apollo, while one judge scores it for Rocky, making the result a split decision. Rocky therefore loses officially, even though he proves he can go the distance with the heavyweight champion.

The ending is important because Rocky’s personal victory is separate from the official result. He does not win the championship, but surviving the fight and earning the respect of the crowd fulfills his goal. His repeated desire to “go the distance” becomes the emotional centerpiece of the film.

This result is sometimes misremembered as a draw because Rocky and Apollo appear evenly matched and the ending feels triumphant. It is not a majority decision, unanimous decision, or technical knockout: Apollo wins on the judges’ cards after all 15 rounds.