In Creed II, Viktor Drago challenges Adonis Creed because his father lost to Rocky Balboa.
Viktor Drago is the son of Ivan Drago, the Soviet boxer defeated by Rocky in Rocky IV. Viktor’s family has suffered professional and social consequences since Ivan’s loss and Apollo Creed’s death. Ivan therefore seeks a fight between Viktor and Apollo’s son, Adonis, presenting it as an opportunity to restore the Drago name.
Adonis initially accepts the challenge while dealing with the pressure of his own championship and impending fatherhood. The first fight ends when Viktor is disqualified for striking Adonis while he is down. Adonis later accepts a rematch in Moscow, where he wins after Ivan abandons Viktor between rounds.
The film connects two generations of the franchise without making Viktor identical to his father. Viktor is a younger heavyweight contender, while Ivan’s role is mainly that of trainer, father, and former champion.