What actor portrayed the main professional boxer who appeared in the seven movie series, including "Creed" and "Rocky Balboa"?
Rocky Balboa Robert "Rocky" Balboa is the title character of the "Rocky" series. The character was created by Sylvester Stallone, who also portrayed him in all seven "Rocky" films. He is depicted as an everyman who started out by going the distance and overcoming obstacles that had occurred in his life and career as a professional boxer. While he is loosely based on Chuck Wepner, a one-time boxer who fought Muhammad Ali and lost on a TKO in the 15th round, the inspiration for the name, iconography and fighting style came from boxing legend Rocky Marciano.
Apollo Creed Apollo Creed is a fictional character from the "Rocky" films, initially portrayed as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. He was played by Carl Weathers. He is a tough but agile African-American boxer. The character was inspired by the real-life champion Muhammad Ali, having what one author remarked as the same "brash, vocal, [and] theatrical" personality. Protagonist Rocky Balboa, Creed's rival in "Rocky" and "Rocky II", faces underdog odds (five-to-one in "Rocky II") and views Creed with respect, pointedly refusing the prodding of a reporter to "trash talk" against Creed by laconically remarking, "He's great."