10 COUNT
ROCKY ROAD
Ranking Rocky Balboa’s greatest career victories. See page 62 for an extensive look at the Rocky series 1. APOLLO CREED
They started as foes and finished as friends. Creed won the first fight between them, taking a close decision, but Balboa, encouraged by a brave performance, managed to reverse the result in the rematch, stopping Creed in the final round.
2. CLUBBER LANG
“The Southside Slugger” accumulated a 28-0 pro record before challenging then-champion Balboa in 1983. Although he stopped Rocky in round two, gained revenge in the third round of the rematch.
3. IVAN DRAGO
Standing at six-foot-five and weighing 260 pounds, Russia’s Drago was an Olympic gold medallist, an Infantry Captain for the Soviet Army, and the machinelike opponent Balboa stopped in round 15 of a heavyweight title fight.
4. MASON DIXON
Dixon cleared out the heavyweight division in 2006, racking up 33 straight wins and 30 knockouts, yet never got the respect he felt he deserved. He edged an ancient Rocky on points in an exhibition.
5. MAC LEE GREEN
Green won a gold medal for Canada at the Olympics and rose to the number one contender spot as a pro heavyweight. He was defeated by Balboa in round six of their world heavyweight title fight.
6. VITO SOTO
Soto, a Colombian slugger briefly mentioned during Rocky III, was brutally knocked out by Balboa in round six when attempting to snatch The Italian Stallion’s heavyweight crown.
7. JOE CHAN
Joe Chan was the best heavyweight contender China had to offer around the time of Rocky III but nowhere near good enough to test a prime Balboa. Chan was knocked out by a trademark Balboa hook.
8. SPIDER RICO
Rico was a Puerto Rican who boxed on the Philadelphia club scene circa 1976. Featured in Rocky, he was blitzed by Balboa in round two of a scheduled eight-rounder.
9. TOMMY GUNN
Known as the Clone Ranger or Rocky’s Robot, Gunn sought Balboa out as a trainer, then let stardom get to his head, and eventually ended up scrapping with his old mentor on the streets. As you do.
10. THUNDERLIPS
The Ultimate Male and The Ultimate Object of Desire was a seven-foot wrestler who ‘fought’ Balboa while raising money for charity. It ended in a one-round draw, and many were disappointed by the spectacle and the motives behind it.