APOLLO CREED!

APOLLO CREED-is one of my favorite movie characters-played by Carl Weathers.
ROCKY BALBOA may have been an underdog story but even Slyvester Stallone knows,without Apollo Creed there wouldn't be a Rocky Balboa. Here's the story.

Apollo,the heavyweight Boxing Champion had to find a fighter for America's Bicentennial.And all the ones he chosed were either hurt or had other obligations. So he chosed a local fighter out of a book of amatuer fighters. He chosed The Italian Stallion Rocky Balboa. Apollo even joked it sounded like a damn monster movie.

Apollo Creed was unaware as Rocky himself was how this match would end up. For Rocky had the never give up spirit. Well it ended up 15 rounds with Rocky going the distance,yet Apollo still won. But it wasn't suppose to be that way. Apollo thought it would be quick and be a good show. Well it was,what both didn't realize till afterwards they wrote one the greatest chapters in Boxing history.

IT WAS A UNIQUE THING-Because Apollo didn't just give Rocky a shot at the greatest title,he gave Rocky a shot at the American dream. And what a story both men gave us. Of course it led to a rematch. Apollo kept listening to skeptics and fools that even his wife told him to stop listening to. But Apollo did everything he could to get Rocky back in the ring. Apollo had to prove the fight wasn't staged.

TO THEM-Rocky was lucky,but Rocky told Apollo after their first fight he had nothing to prove. But he didn't listen and wanted to take Rocky quick this 2nd time. Well it ended up a 2nd battle,15 rounds again and this time by seconds Apollo lost. Rocky was the new Heavyweight Boxing Champion. The loss hurt inside as bad as the loss of Mickey hurt inside Rocky who let Clubber Lang beat him.

BUT THESE TWO came together. Apollo helped Rocky get back the Eye of the Tiger. That's how Apollo described his battles with Rocky. Clubber Lang had pushed Rocky till he got him in the ring but Mickey's death didn't help and of course Mickey telling him that he carried him to protect him from Apollo's great beating. But Adrian didn't believe that. She believed Rocky was the fighter he always was,heart and spirit.

TRAINING WITH APOLLO they would work to bring back the title. For they held the greatest title together. So Apollo trained Rocky with the same style and speed that made Apollo a great champion. When all was said and done they got the title back. Then Rocky owed Apollo one thing. A matter they settled between the both of them. It was a crazy idea but Rocky obliged. Those seconds of losing that 2nd time bothered Apollo but they solved it. They became good friends.

THEN IVAN DRAGO came along. Apollo knew it was about us versus them. And Apollo talked Rocky into being in his corner. Even though Drago was not a fair fight despite Apollo being out of the ring for 5yrs. Apollo died the warrior he was in the ring wearing the Red,White and Blue. A man who retired more men than Social Security. A man who gave us Rocky Balboa.

AT APOLLO'S FUNERAL-Rocky laid out the Heavyweight Boxing title on his casket. Called him 'The Best.'

A Great American story if you ask me. Pioneers of one. Thanks for listening.