In Rocky III, Clubber Lang is the world heavyweight champion who defeats Rocky before their rematch.
Clubber Lang is an aggressive contender played by Mr. T. He publicly challenges Rocky and criticizes the champion’s choice of opponents. Before their first fight, Rocky’s longtime trainer Mickey suffers a heart attack during a confrontation with Lang and later dies.
Rocky is emotionally unprepared for the bout and loses by technical knockout in the second round. Apollo Creed then helps him prepare for the rematch, teaching him new movement and speed while training at a beach location in Los Angeles. Apollo’s coaching marks the beginning of their friendship.
In the rematch, Rocky defeats Lang by technical knockout in the third round. Lang is therefore both a major antagonist and an important turning point in Rocky’s relationship with Apollo. Mr. T later became widely known for his role as B. A. Baracus in The A-Team.