Rocky IV (1985)

Rocky IV (1985) is an American sports drama film starring and directed by Sylvester Stallone. That same year, Russian boxer Ivan Drago arrives in the United States with his wife Ludmilla, an Olympic swimmer, and a team of trainers from the Soviet Union and Cuba. His manager Nicolai Koloff seizes every opportunity to tout Drago’s athletic prowess as a symbol of Soviet dominance. Prompted by both patriotism and a personal drive for validation, former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed challenges Drago to an exhibition match. Though hesitant at first, Rocky agrees to help train Apollo for the fight. Tensions escalate between their respective camps during a press conference leading up to the bout held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. In a flashy display of national pride, Apollo enters the ring to James Brown singing ‘Living in America’ alongside showgirls.

The match begins with Apollo unsuccessfully landing a few punches on Drago. Then, Drago strikes back and causes serious damage. By the end of the first round, Rocky and their trainer Duke try to convince Apollo to stop the fight, but he refuses and urges Rocky not to intervene. Despite Duke’s pleas for Rocky to throw in the towel in the second round, Rocky honors Apollo’s wishes, allowing Drago to ultimately kill him in the ring. Afterwards, Drago shows no remorse and tells reporters ‘If he dies, he dies’. Fed up with the lack of humanity from the Soviets, Rocky decides to challenge Drago himself but has to give up his title in order to do so. In an unsanctioned 15-round match on Christmas in the Soviet Union, Rocky heads there alone as his wife Adrian strongly disapproves of the fight.