In which film does Rocky first fight Ivan Drago?

Rocky first fights Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. The 1985 film begins the rivalry when Soviet boxer Ivan Drago arrives in the United States and challenges former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed to an exhibition match.

Apollo’s bout with Drago ends tragically when Drago fatally injures him in the ring. Rocky feels responsible for failing to stop the fight and decides to face Drago himself. Because the boxing authorities will not sanction the match, Rocky relinquishes his heavyweight championship and agrees to an unsanctioned 15-round contest in Moscow on Christmas Day.

The film contrasts Drago’s technologically advanced training with Rocky’s demanding outdoor workouts in the snowy Russian countryside. Rocky survives Drago’s overwhelming power, gradually wins the respect of the hostile crowd, and knocks him out in the final round. Some viewers remember Apollo’s earlier fight as Rocky’s first encounter with Drago, but Rocky is only Drago’s opponent later in the same film.