Ricky Conlan vs Adonis Creed, billed as Pretty Ricky Conlan vs Hollywood Creed was a boxing match for IBF, WBO, The Ring, and lineal Light Heavyweight titles. Conlan was considered the number one pound for pound fighter in the entire world, dominating the entire Light Heavyweight division, and accumulating a record of 36-0, with 28 knockouts. However, Conlan was arrested for illegal firearm possession and was being sent to prison, but before his sentence, Conlan was set to have one last super fight against the WBA, WBC, and The Ring world heavyweight champion, Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler. Conlan lost his temper at the weigh-ins and broke Wheeler's jaw with a right hook, causing the fight to be cancelled.
Conlan's prison sentence was quickly approaching and with no opponents in sight, Conlan's manager Tommy Holiday set up a fight with Adonis Johnson Creed, the son of the legendary world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. Adonis surprised Conlan and takes the fight to him, knocking Conlan down for the first time in his career. Conlan weathers the storm and wins the fight by split decision.
Background[]
Conlan was scheduled to defend his championships in what was regarded as a Super-Fight against the WBA, WBC, and The Ring Heavyweight Champion Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler. Both Conlan and Wheeler were undefeated at the time and considered the two best pound for pound boxers in the entire world, with Wheeler dominating the Heavyweight division and Conlan dominating the Light Heavyweight division. Boxing fans all over the world had been anticipating a fight between them for years. HBO Sports aired a special to hype the fight, titled 24/7 Conlan V Wheeler. In the preview for the special, Conlan mentioned that this may be his final fight due to his looming prison sentence that could sideline him for up to 7 years. Conlan then mentioned that he planned to go out on top, stating <></>I've never lost, I've never even been knocked down, and that's not gonna change <nowiki></> He was oozing confidence, certain that he would defeat Wheeler. At the weigh-ins for the fight, things got heated and Conlan cracked Wheeler with a right hook, breaking his jaw, and causing the fight to be cancelled. Wheeler sued Conlan and the WBC for millions.
Creed running during his training
Conlan's prison sentence loomed closer and closer and with a hefty lawsuit on his hands due to the punch on Wheeler at the weigh-ins, Conlan found himself in deep waters as he attempted to find one final fight and one final payday. In comes Adonis Johnson Creed, Adonis was simply going by Adonis Johnson as he won 15 fights in Tijuana and 1 huge victory over Light Heavyweight contender Leo "The Lion" Sporino, but it was leaked to the media that Adonis was, in fact, the son of legendary Heavyweight Champion, Apollo Creed, Adonis was the product of an affair that Apollo had in the 1980s. Conlan's manager Tommy Holiday short on opponents for Conlan, presented the idea of Conlan vs. Creed because of the Creed name. Holiday flew out to Philadelphia and set up a meeting with Adonis Johnson Creed and his trainer/manager legendary former Two-Time Heavyweight Champion, Rocky Balboa. Tommy pitched the fight to Balboa and Adonis, telling them that Conlan had beaten everyone and that this fight would be a very wise move for him, informing Adonis that he would have to change his name to Creed in order for the fight to happen. Adonis thinks it over and agrees to fight Conlan.
Press Conference for the upcoming fight
The fight was scheduled to take place in Liverpool, England. At the press conference, Conlan labelled Adonis an over-night success, claiming that he was only getting a shot because he found that "name" last night, furthermore he laughed at Adonis building a "legacy". Conlan goes on to mention that his father grew up on the docks while Adonis's father was Heavyweight Champion of the world, claiming that Adonis was silver spoon fed. Adonis took offence to this and stood up, quickly escalating the situation as Conlan and Creed almost came to blows, but it was quickly diffused.
The fight[]
Conlan lands a hook on Creed
At the beginning of the fight, the fighters touched gloves and Conlan made a snide remark, saying "Nice shorts boy, too bad your daddy isn't here to fight in them" in regards to Creed's American themed trunks. Conlan dominated the first round of the fight, using his reach advantage to keep Creed at bay, firing off with jabs. Conlan seemed relaxed in the first round, taunting at Creed, and smiling when Creed was able to land a punch. Conlan continued to utilise his reach, executing perfect combos and eventually knocking Creed down with an uppercut. Creed bounced back to his feet and Conlan went in for the kill, unloading on Creed with body shots and hooks as the round came to an end. In the second round, Conlan continues more of the same and is able to dominate the first half of the round, but Adonis lands a huge right hook that opens up a cut on Conlan's cheek and shocks him, Adonis charges at him and they trade strikes until the end of the round. Conlan seemed to be taking Creed more serious at this point but still taunted Creed by wiping his own blood and claiming that it ain't nothing. In round three, Conlan retook control and dominated Adonis, executing a huge combination at the end of the round that caused Adonis to walk to the wrong corner. In round four, Adonis began to be patient, waiting for Conlan to step to him rather than charging at Conlan, Adonis was able to land some big shots and win the round. In round five, Conlan used his experience and skill to again outwork Creed and land some heavy shots.
Creed knocks down Conlan in his first KO
The next few rounds would be split between Conlan and Creed, with the both of them landing some huge shots and hurting one another. In round eleven, many were surprised that Creed was able to make it this far, but he was still trading shots with Conlan, Creed attempted a huge hook, but Conlan was able to duck underneath and land a massive hook of his own, dropping Creed to the mat. Conlan immediately ran to the ropes, stepping up onto the middle rope, and celebrating to the crowd, confident and certain that the fight was over, but shockingly Creed was able to get back up and the fight continued, Conlan landed a few more strikes before the round ended. In the twelfth and final round, both men traded shots. After some early struggles, Adonis shocks the world by giving Conlan all he can handle. He ultimately goes the distance, even managing to knock Conlan down for the first time in his career as Bianca and the once-antagonistic crowd begin to cheer him on. Conlan was able to pull himself up and beat the count. Conlan was announced the winner via split decision.
Aftermath[]
Conlan embraces Creed and tells him that he is "the future of this division" and that he should wear that name with "pride". The fight notably boosted Adonis into both social and boxing world. Conlan would later retire in order to serve his prison sentence. The fight has been regarded as one of the most surprising boxing matches in recent history and has been compared to the Superfight of 76.