The rematch between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa, billed as The Superfight 2, was a heavyweight championship boxing match on November 25, 1976 by celebrating Thanksgiving day. The fight was a result of speculation that the judges threw the last fight in Apollo's favor. The second of the three Creed–Balboa bouts, it took place at the Philadelphia Spectrum, the same place the last fight took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To the surprise of everyone, Balboa won the match and became the new Heavyweight Champion of the World.
Background[]
Apollo challenges Balboa to a rematch
Creed's desire for a rematch with Balboa intensified when it becomes clear that the prevailing public opinion is that Creed had either gotten lucky, or the judges were fixed in his favor. Rocky had married his girlfriend, Adrian, after recovering from the first fight, and is not keen on fighting again, especially given the disapproval of his doctor and Adrian. In the meantime, Rocky is having financial troubles. Although he lost to Creed, Rocky was well rewarded. However, he squandered his purse on needed improvements to his life such as a house and a car, but also a nice jacket and watches for himself, Adrian and Paulie. Creed went on air to publicly humiliate and challenge Balboa to a rematch much to Rocky's concern. Later on, Rocky's trainer Mickey Goldmill decides to train Rocky for the rematch. The press conference was more serious than the last one as Creed continued to trash talk Balboa and boast that he would defeat him in less than three rounds. During the whole segment, Rocky refused to say anything derogatory towards Apollo and talked about what he would do with the money if he won the fight.
The press conference for the upcoming rematch
Creed plows through sparring partners and trains harder than ever before while Rocky was still unfocused by his wife's refusal to support him for the upcoming rematch. During the training, Adrian gave birth to a baby boy whom they named after Rocky. While Adrian was briefly in a coma, once she awoke she finally gave Rocky her support. This caused Rocky to train even harder than ever before and the children begin to follow Rocky's sprint to help him out.
Fight[]
Creed shoves Balboa
It is reported that Rocky had visited the local priest Father Carmine to give him some blessing power and was late to his own fight while his wife stays with Paulie to take care of the baby due to the maternity leave. As before, the fight once again reaches the 15th round, by which point Apollo has built a lead on points that Rocky cannot possibly beat. However, Apollo's obsession with knocking Rocky out (against the advice of his corner men) leads him to trade blows with Rocky despite his lead. Unlike their first fight, Creed dominates Balboa throughout the second fight, managing to thwart Rocky's strategy of fighting right-handed.
Rocky becomes the new Heavyweight champion of the world
Despite this, he was unable to make good on his promise of an early knockout victory, as Rocky absorbs his punches. In the final round, Rocky, who switched the tactics and is fighting left-handed again, lands a devastating blow on Apollo that knocks the champ down, but he loses his balance and falls to the canvas as well. One or other have a struggle to get up or there would be a draw with Creed retaining the title. Rocky managed to stand up at nine and a half before the referee counts to ten, while Apollo is counted out, having his first defeat and his winning streak snapped. Rocky thus wins the fight by knockout and becomes the new heavyweight champion of the world. The crowd bursted into cheer as the underdog finally won the championship and yelled Adrian that he did it.
Aftermath[]
In his post-fight announcement Rocky, who has won back the respect of his fans and Adrian, humbly thanks Apollo for the match as part of the Thanksgiving. He later thanked God and his mentor Mickey, except for his kid being born before telling Adrian that he finally did it. Apollo retires from boxing soon after. Even though he has lost, he gains his respect from the crowd back since it feels that he fought and lost in a fair fight. The fight also results in Creed finally acknowledging Balboa's ability as a fighter, rather than seeing him as a fluke. Along with its predecessor, the fight is one of the most significant fights in boxing history as an Unknown fighter was actually able to defeat the champion and win the belt. Footage of the fight would later be uploaded on YouTube where years later, Apollo's son Adonis would often watch the fight in order to capture both the fighter's mannerism.
Trivia[]
- This fight honors the Thanksgiving holiday.
Gallery[]
