Every Rocky Villain, Ranked From Weakest To Strongest

The Rocky movies are considered one of the greatest boxing series ever made. The spin-off series, Creed, is equally impressive and consistently fun to watch. Both Rocky Balboa and Adonis Creed faced many tough opponents during their boxing careers, but some provided far more difficult fights than others.

As a huge fan of the Rocky and Creed films, I have to say, Tommy Gunn just doesn’t measure up. He’s a likable guy, sure, but honestly, his fight scenes are pretty terrible – and the whole storyline feels weak. It almost feels wrong to even put him in the same category as someone like Ivan Drago, but they both faced Balboa. Looking back at the whole series, it’s really clear who was a truly intimidating opponent and who just wasn’t very good at boxing.

8. Tommy Gunn Learns From, Then Betrays, an Aging Rocky in Rocky V

Rocky & Gunn Don’t Even Settle Their Feud in the Ring

Image via MGM

Tommy Gunn enters Rocky’s life at a difficult moment. While Rocky won his fight against Drago, he’s left with serious health problems. Rocky starts training Gunn to be his successor, but Gunn ultimately betrays him in Rocky V. The character is intended to reflect a darker path Rocky could have taken, but he comes across as unconvincing and unlikeable.

Okay, so let me tell you, this fight…it never even gets to the ring. These two settle things old-school, right there on the streets. And honestly, it perfectly encapsulates everything you need to know about Gunn – he’s just that kind of guy. Rocky doesn’t even want to fight him until Gunn goes and attacks someone Rocky cares about deeply. If they had officially boxed, it would’ve been a brutal, quick ending for Gunn. He’s strong and a decent fighter, but just doesn’t have the skill or stamina to hang with a prime Rocky Balboa. The Italian Stallion would have absolutely wiped the floor with him.

7. Mason ‘The Line’ Dixon Challenges An Elderly Rocky Balboa to Prove a Point

Dixon Barely Manages to Hold His Own Against an Aged Balboa

Mason ‘The Line’ Dixon is intended to embody the overconfidence of a new generation. After losing a simulated fight to a younger Rocky Balboa, Dixon boldly challenges the older boxer to a real match. Instead of refusing, Rocky starts training to show he’s still capable. While Rocky’s final fight isn’t about winning, it’s about proving he can last, Dixon surprisingly makes it seem effortless.

Although Dixon was younger, he and Balboa were evenly matched for much of the fight. Dixon tried several times to win quickly, but Rocky’s experience kept him in the game. While Dixon gained respect for Rocky, he wasn’t a particularly impressive fighter himself. Had Dixon fought Rocky at his peak, it would have been a much easier fight for Balboa.

6. Ricky Conlan Is Creed’s First Real Opponent

Conlan Is Creed’s Stepping Stone to the Boxing World

Ricky Conlan is Adonis Creed’s first significant challenge. Although the judges initially award the fight to Conlan, the outcome mirrors Rocky’s initial loss to Apollo, serving as a learning experience for Adonis. Ultimately, Conlan wouldn’t stand a chance against either Rocky Balboa or a fully developed Adonis Creed. While Conlan wins their first fight, that loss actually pushes Adonis to become a stronger and more skilled boxer.

I’m really impressed with this Irish boxer’s talent, he’s genuinely skilled. However, when you look at the absolute best in the ‘Rocky’ universe, he just doesn’t quite have that same level of power. What I find interesting is how much he feels like a ‘real’ boxer – he’s not indestructible, but he’s still a force to be reckoned with. I truly believe that if he ever fought Creed again, Creed would win – and it would finally erase that one blemish from Creed’s record.

5. Clubber Lang Briefly Takes Rocky’s Title Away in Rocky III

Lang Capitalizes on the Boxer’s Lack of Technique

In Rocky III, Clubber Lang is a powerful and relentless opponent who takes advantage of Rocky’s growing overconfidence. Lang challenges Rocky to re-evaluate his boxing knowledge and forces him to get creative with his training. He even makes Rocky ask his old rival, Apollo Creed, for assistance. Lang’s hard-hitting punches force Rocky to fight more defensively than ever before.

Let me tell you, Clubber Lang is a serious threat – easily one of the toughest guys Rocky Balboa ever faced. He’s not just strong, he’s relentlessly aggressive and doesn’t pull any punches. Honestly, I thought Rocky was on the verge of being finished after that fight. It was Apollo Creed stepping in to train him that saved the day. That unlikely partnership, with his former rival, gave Rocky the skills and the mental fortitude he needed to keep fighting. It was a game-changer, truly.

4. Damien Anderson Is Fueled By Pure Rage and Ambition in Creed III

Anderson Wants Everything Creed Has Won For Himself

Image via MGM

Damien Anderson and Adonis grew up knowing each other, but their lives took very different paths. Anderson spent years in prison, which led to resentment towards Adonis’s boxing success. This jealousy transformed him into a fierce and dangerous fighter who almost ended Adonis’s career. Known as ‘Diamond Dame,’ Anderson is incredibly strong – possibly even stronger than Lang – and presents Adonis with the most difficult and emotionally charged fight of his life.

Creed ultimately won against Anderson with a knockout, though it was a tough fight. Anderson’s jealousy and anger made him a formidable opponent – one of the strongest in the series – but it wasn’t enough to secure the win. Fortunately, Creed was able to rely on his skill and determination to prevail.

3. Viktor Drago Is Almost as Strong As His Father Was in Creed II

Drago Intends to Clear His Father’s Legacy

Viktor Drago is a formidable fighter, just like his father. He’s a towering, powerfully built man. While his rivalry with Creed doesn’t start as a personal feud, Viktor quickly escalates it. Although Creed eventually gains the advantage, Viktor was likely on track to win if not for a contrived plot point in the fight.

The veteran boxer’s power and size are what truly make him a formidable opponent. He expertly uses his strength, clearly demonstrating it in every fight. Thankfully, the excellent training Rocky gave Adonis equipped him with the skills necessary to win.

2. Apollo Creed Is Rocky’s Rival Turned Mentor

Creed Helped Rocky Learn to Be a True Boxer

In the “Rocky” universe, Apollo Creed is considered one of the best boxers ever. Though he tragically died fighting Ivan Drago, many believe he was the only one capable of defeating the champion. Apollo and Rocky fought each other three times, but the outcome of their final match remained a mystery for a long time. It’s finally revealed at the end of “Creed III” that Apollo actually won that last fight.

This change gives Creed Sr. a better fighting record and shows how talented he was. It’s possible this decision was made after the fact, but it doesn’t diminish the boxers’ skill. Had Apollo not tragically died fighting Drago, he likely would have been able to reclaim the championship from Rocky.

1. Ivan Drago Nearly Ended Rocky’s Life Like He Did Apollo’s in Rocky IV

Drago Represented the Pinaccle of Boxing Prowess

MGM

Most people immediately think of the fight between Rocky and Ivan Drago in Rocky IV when they think about the Rocky movies. It’s an incredibly intense match, largely due to Drago’s impressive physical strength. Drago is a cold, relentless fighter, and Rocky only wins by refusing to give up. He would have easily defeated any other opponent, but Rocky’s determination sets him apart.

Drago is the most skilled boxer in the entire Rocky series, even if his character relies on some problematic tropes. He’s simply a far more technically gifted fighter than anyone else we’ve seen, and if he fought Adonis Creed, it’s highly probable he would defeat him and end his boxing career.

2026-01-25 06:35