FACT FILE ROCKY: THESTORYCONTINUES... Rocky II (1979): At first, Rocky doesn’t want to continue boxing. THELEGEND He wants to enjoy life with his wife, Adrian and their new baby, Robert. But the family needs money and Apollo Creed wants to fight In 1976, the Oscar for Best Picture Rocky again. Rocky agrees, and this time he wins the fight. went to a film about a young boxer. The new young star of the film also wrote the story. His name was Rocky III (1982): Rocky is enjoying Sylvester Stallone, and the film was the champion’s life, but loses to a Rocky. A legend was born! dangerous new opponent, Clubber WheredidtheideaforRockycomefrom? Lang. Then Apollo Creed becomes In 1975, Sylvester Stallone went to see a fight between Muhammad Ali Rocky’s trainer. Rocky fights Lang and Chuck Wepner. Wepner was a ‘nobody’, but he stayed in the fight a second time and becomes until the last round. He even put Ali on the floor! ‘That night, Rocky heavyweight champion again. Balboa was born,’ says Stallone. WhatisRockyabout? Rocky IV (1985): Russian fighting machine, Ivan Drago, comes Heavyweight boxing champion, Apollo Creed, is going to fight in to the USA. Apollo Creed volunteers to fight him, but dies in the Philadelphia. When his opponent breaks his hand, Creed’s team look for ring. Rocky is angry and decides to fight Drago in Russia. Far a different fighter. They decide to from home, Rocky wins the fight. fight a ‘nobody’ – Rocky Balboa. SodoesRockywinthefightwith Rocky V (1990): Rocky’s luck Creed? changes. Doctors tell him he cannot No, Apollo wins. Rocky fights hard fight again and the Balboas have to and is still on his feet at the end. sell their house. Rocky starts to train He has learned to respect himself. a young boxer called Tommy. But Isthefilmonlyaboutboxing? Tommy leaves Rocky for a different No, it’s a love story, too. It tells the manager. In the end, Tommy and story of Rocky’s love for his best Rocky fight – not in the ring but in friend’s sister, Adrian. the street – and Rocky wins. What do these words mean? You can use a dictionary. actor legend machine volunteer Have you seen any of these Rocky films? Which is your favourite? Which would you like to watch? 48 49.