Tommy Gunn breaks down after being called a Paper Champion in Rocky V (1990)
A Paper Champion is a boxing champion who is considered to be a false champion, or champion only on paper. Reasons for being called a Paper Champion are not fighting challenging opponents, fighting very little, or not gaining the belt by knocking out a true champion. In some cases a paper champion can be seen as one whose victory was determined by points decision, as championships are usually expected to be won by knockout or submission. The term was first heard in Rocky III, when Clubber Lang taunted Rocky at the unveiling of a statue in his honor.
Union Cane was considered to be a paper champion in Rocky V, since he never gained the belt by defeating the two-time veteran heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa, instead being forced into an impromptu fight when Rocky's injuries at the hands of Ivan Drago had forced him to retire from active boxing. Virtually nothing was told of the boxer Cane squared off with to see who would claim the vacated title, although it could be assumed while not contender he was a ranking boxer. Cane won this match and was awarded the belt. When Tommy Gunn won the belt, he too was considered a paper champion as he knocked out Cane, in which case defeating a paper champion made him a paper champion as well. This went over poorly with Gunn, whose victory party was poorly attended and he earned little respect from the press, and his lack of education or finesse caused him to lash out at the press.
Mason Dixon in the 2006 film, Rocky Balboa, was also considered to be a paper champion for fighting unchallenging opponents. Although not believed by the public, it seemed Rocky himself had also been a paper champion in Rocky III, when Clubber Lang accused Rocky of ducking a genuine contender like him in favour of ten title defenses by second-rate fighters. However, this was also due to Mickey Goldmill arranging such fights, fearful for Rocky's health after winning the championship in a genuine manner by knocking out Apollo Creed.