‘CREED III’ PUTS UP A FIGHT

Michael B. Jordan champions the boxing saga’s new chapter in his solid directorial debut

For “Creed” star Michael B. Jordan, stepping behind the camera for his directorial debut in “Creed III” follows in the very famous footsteps of the original star of the franchise — Sylvester Stallone. After the critical success of “Rocky,” for which he wrote the screenplay, Stallone took over from John G. Avildsen to direct “Rocky II,” which became a box office smash, cementing Stallone as an unlikely action star auteur.

Hopefully, Jordan manages a similar trajectory with “Creed III,” a solid first feature with a knockout performance from Jonathan Majors.

There’s a meta element to Jordan’s move behind the camera

that mimics Adonis Creed’s journey in the screenplay by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin. Adonis, a.k.a. Donnie (Jordan), has hung up the gloves and moved into a promoter role, supporting the championship aspirations of Felix Chavez (played by pro boxer José Benavidez), and spending time with his family, wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent).

The domestic challenges — finding his purpose outside of the ring, reckoning with the history of his relationship with his adopted mother (Phylicia Rashad) and learning to express himself with his wife — are fairly standard issue and

Rated: PG-13, for intense sports action, violence and some strong language Running time: 1 hour, 56 minutes

Playing: In general release

Eli Ade MGM MICHAEL B. JORDAN is the hero of “Creed III,” returning as Adonis Creed and also taking on the franchise’s directing reins.