In the 1976 movie "Rocky," Rocky Balboa fights Apollo Creed, the world heavyweight champion. Apollo is played by Carl Weathers.
Creed is scheduled to defend his title against top contender Mac Lee Green on January 1, 1976, but Green injures his hand and other leading contenders cannot take the fight. Creed then creates a publicity opportunity by choosing an unknown Philadelphia club fighter, Rocky Balboa, as his replacement opponent.
Rocky is nicknamed the "Italian Stallion" and has little expectation of winning. Creed initially treats the bout as an exhibition of his superiority, but Rocky’s endurance and determination turn the title fight into a dramatic test. Rocky loses the official decision, yet earns Creed’s respect and becomes a national sports story.
A common mix-up is confusing Apollo with Rocky’s later opponents. Clubber Lang appears in Rocky III, Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, and Tommy Gunn in Rocky V. Apollo remains Rocky’s first major rival and later becomes his friend, trainer, and former opponent.