The US Bicentennial was approaching, and to mark the occasion World Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed planned to hold a title fight in Philadelphia – home of the very bell that had rung their freedom. The only problem was that right now he had no opponent. Who would accept the challenge to get in the ring with him? Apollo Creed was unbeatable. His scheduled opponent had been forced to drop out with a hand injury. All the other fighters who held a title or boxed in the pro circuit were booked or unavailable. So Creed decided to extend the challenge to anyone, offering a fee of a hundred and fifty thousand dollars, to see if there was any man in Philadelphia willing to get in the ring to celebrate the bicentennial of US independence.
Where would they find his future opponent? In the gyms around Philly, word spread that Apollo Creed was willing to pay any fighter a hundred and fifty thousand to take him on. Regardless of what happened in the fight, the challenger would get the money. Most of the locals didn’t think it was worth the humiliation of taking a beating on live T.V., and none of the town fighters took up the challenge. But that day, a young Italian was training out in the projects. His name was Rocky Balboa. Say what you want about the kid, but he had heart. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the training to take on Creed. Mickey Goldmill, an aging fighter who was now a trainer at the gym Rocky went to, wanted to be his manager for the fight. Rocky Balboa was initially hesitant, since Mickey had never shown any interest in him before, and said he was a wasted talent. In the end, though, he accepted.
Taking on Apollo Creed was a daunting prospect, but Rocky was just crazy enough to do it. He was also crazy in love with Adrian Pennino, who worked in the local pet store. Paulie, Adrian’s brother, helped him get a date with his sister. Paulie was a butcher, and Adrian found herself smiling when she saw Rocky using sides of beef as punching bags. Rocky Balboa’s training was somewhat unorthodox. He ran up and down the steps of Philadelphia’s public buildings, over the railyards and through the town. The big day was coming, and Rocky felt ready.
The day of the fight was upon them. Creed intimidated Rocky Balboa with a spectacular entrance, dressed first as George Washington and then as Uncle Sam. The grand American spectacle unfolded before a euphoric crowd. But Rocky felt confident, and knew that Adrian was in the stands with Paulie. The fight started, and Rocky’s self-belief saw him knock Creed down in the first round. The commentators were impressed. His pride hurt, Creed took Rocky more seriously for the rest of the fight, though his ego was not fully quieted. The fight went the distance, with both fighters sustaining injuries. Rocky’s eyes were so swollen he could barely see. The two boxers circled the ring. Apollo Creed kept his distance after Rocky hit him with a right hook. Creed was bleeding internally, and was struggling to breathe. Then it was Balboa’s turn to get caught in the corner, soaking up every one of Creed’s punches. The crowd couldn’t believe it. The exhibition match had turned into a battle royale. The two opponents fought, sweating and bleeding, clashing and turning and ducking until the final round. Both men were spent, and fell to the ground. The countdown started. Apollo Creed got up, but Rocky Balboa struggled to raise himself despite Paulie’s howls of encouragement. The bell rang. Rocky Balboa got up and hugged Apollo Creed. They promised there’d be no rematch.
The crowd showed their respect for Balboa, and their admiration for Creed’s performance. It was supposed to be a friendly bout, but had proven to be clash of titans. The commentators called it “the greatest demonstration of grit and endurance ever witnessed in the history of the ring,” and Rocky called out to Adrian, who ran into the ring while Paulie distracted security. The judges declared Creed the winner in a split decision, while Rocky and Adrian kissed and said they loved each other, all thoughts of victory or defeat already far behind them.
Sometimes, sport makes humans of us all.
Alan Alfredo Geday