"Hey, you really got lucky tonight" – Spider Rico
Spider Rico (Born June 9, 1945) is an Argentinian boxer that, as a Philadelphia-area club fighter in the film Rocky, fought Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) at the time. Spider was Rocky's first opponent to be seen in the series. He ultimately lost to Rocky in a club match, then was seen recuperating after the fight with Rocky, where the purse is divided. Spider then proceeds to tell Rocky that he got lucky this time. Rocky's pay for winning the fight was about $48, whereas Spider's was $16 after deductions, showing how bad the pay was for fighters back then.
Spider made one attempt in pro boxing against Ken Thornton, an unknown fighter. Although this was Spider's first and final pro fight, it ended well as he defeated Thronton by decision. Following that victory, Rico retired from boxing but had he continued he could've had great sucess.
Decades passed and Spider Rico aged. He had suffered head trauma, and it was difficult for him to hold down a job. This also caused him to lose contact with his daughter. He is presented as a strong Christian character in the 2006 film Rocky Balboa, where he eats for free at Rocky's restaurant "Adrian's". Spider also makes sure to volunteer against Rocky's wishes, where he works in the kitchen preparing food and washing the dishes. It can be assumed that Rocky started paying Spider for his honest work.
Spider later shows up to support Rockys last fight with Mason Dixon praying and reading scriptures for Rocky in the locker room. This is the last we have seen of him up until now.
In a deleted scene for Creed II, Rocky is seen showing up to Spiders funeral, saying that he passed away in 2018, at the age of ether 72 or 73. But as this scene is deleted Spider Rico is still alive and well in the Rocky universe possibly having even re-connected with his daughter as Rocky did with his son in the film Creed II of course all of this is vauge but his death cannot be confirmed due to the scenes deletion.
Appearances[]
- Rocky (First appearance)
- Rocky video game
- Rocky: Legends
- Rocky IV (Flashback)
- Rocky Balboa (film)
- Rocky Balboa (video game)
- Creed II (mentioned and photo; deleted scene)
Boxing Attire[]
