There's a lot to like about the Rocky franchise, from its plethora of beloved characters to its iconic dialogue. However, at its heart, it's about boxing, and the fight scenes are what makes Rocky and Creed so exciting. The franchise has introduced many boxers over the course of the nine movies, with the most recent being Creed III hitting theaters this March 3, 2023.
While Rocky Balboa and Adonis Creed are the star fighters, there have been many in the franchise that have created epic battles. Whether it's the choreography being stellar, the drama being raised by stakes, or just the acting of the two fighters involved, it's always a blast to see two people go at it in the ring of Rocky.
10 Rocky Balboa Vs. Thunderlips
Rocky III
Rocky Balboa vs. Thunderlips is, without a doubt, a less serious fight than most of the others in the franchise, but that's what it's meant to be. In Rocky III, Rocky takes on an exhibition boxing match against Thunderlips, a wrestler played by Hulk Hogan. Thunderlips throws Rocky out of the ring entirely before beating up anybody else nearby.
It's all in good fun, though, and it ends with the two taking a Polaroid together to remember the occasion. While it's not the best fight in terms of action, it's fun and entertaining nonetheless.
9 Adonis Creed Vs. Leo Sporino
Creed
The fights take a huge step forward in a technical sense from the Rocky movies to the Creed movies, and the first real fight in Creed is proof of that. Adonis takes on Leo "The Lion" Sporino, and it's a near-technical masterpiece of action. The entire fight is one shot and never cuts away from the action.
Not only is that proof of the effort put in by both actors, but it keeps the intensity raised, and it lets the fight flow a lot better. There's nothing special about this fight between Adonis and Leo, but the fight is still magical.
8 Adonis Creed Vs. Ricky Conlan
Creed
"Pretty" Ricky Conlan isn't anything super memorable compared to some of the other villains in this franchise, but he does make for a worthy competitor to Adonis. Their fight at the end of Creed is one of the most physically devastating fights in the series, with both boxers taking massive blows throughout.
Adonis Creed vs. Ricky Conlan proves how these movies, as good as they've always been, can get even better. The filmmaking of the fight is a step up, and the action is thrilling all the way through.
7 Rocky Balboa Vs. Clubber Lang Rematch
Rocky III
Clubber Lang represented a real threat to Rocky for the first time, and this was felt through the consequences of their tension. Mickey dies from cardiac arrest after Lang pushes him. With Rocky's head not in the fight, he loses badly to Lang, giving up the title as well.
The rematch is everything fans could ever ask for from these two. Rocky and Lang fight hard and long, throwing punches and maneuvering around. The stakes are high, the camera work is a step up from the first two films, and the action makes this a respectable fight.
6 Apollo Creed Vs. Ivan Drago
Rocky IV
There has never been a fight in the franchise with more devastating results than the one between Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago, which began as an exhibition match meant as a show and ended with Drago killing Apollo in the ring. The fight was tough to watch, as Drago beats Apollo to a pulp.
Apollo's death left Rocky feeling guilty, as he should've stopped the fight before Apollo was killed. This fight has left ramifications on the franchise and its characters, and they're still being felt in the movies today.
5 Adonis Creed Vs. Viktor Drago Rematch
Creed II
There's a lot of history between the Creeds and the Dragos, and that history came crashing in one night when Adonis held a rematch against Viktor Drago, who had previously been disqualified after hitting Adonis while he was down. The fight was barbaric, with big blows being taken on both sides.
The two go pound for pound with one another, and while Drago hurts Adonis really bad, he gets up and delivers fateful blows back. Drago can't take any more, and his father throws in the towel.
4 Rocky Balboa Vs. Apollo Creed Rematch
Rocky II
The relationship between Rocky and Apollo is the heart of the franchise and the bridge between the Rocky films and the Creed films. It's hard to top the first fight between these two, but their long-awaited rematch in the second film comes pretty close.
Between Apollo's anger and Rocky's determination to be the champ, this bout is filled with packed punches and high-stakes drama. Of course, Rocky comes out on top as the new heavyweight champion, but the performance from both boxers is unforgettable.
3 Adonis Creed Vs. Damian Anderson
Creed III
Creed III is the first film directed by Michael B. Jordan, and he said that the fights in the movie were inspired by various anime fights from his favorite shows. The final fight between Adonis and Damian proves this to be true, as it utilizes the camera in a way no other Rocky film has before.
The film cuts away from the fight at Dodger Stadium and displays it with no audience for a while, showing Adonis and Damian, who have a long history, zoned in on only each other. The close-up shots of their bodies during various punches are unique and entertaining.
2 Rocky Balboa Vs. Ivan Drago
Rocky IV
Ivan Drago is probably the toughest opponent that Rocky ever faced due to his sheer size and brute strength. He was painted in the movie as more of a killing machine than a boxer. This was proven true when Drago killed Apollo Creed in an exhibition match earlier on.
Rocky had never been in more danger than he was in the ring with Drago, but it made for one hell of a fight. The two traded blows for minutes on screen, and with the stakes so high, the emotions were running.
1 Rocky Balboa Vs. Apollo Creed
Rocky
There's no doubt that the greatest fight in the franchise is the bombastic battle at the end of the first Rocky movie. There's a lot on the line in this fight, as Rocky is trying to prove himself as a legitimate boxer, while Apollo is looking to retain the heavyweight belt and keep his reputation intact.
Rocky doesn't win, but he does go the distance with Apollo, something no fighter had ever done before. The scene was heavy with punches, as the two absolutely hammered blows back and forth, making it one of the most epic scenes in any sports movie ever.