AP photo
Sylvester Stallone poses in front of the Rocky statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at a photo op to promote ‘Creed II’ on April 6, 2018, in Philadelphia.

When first introduced to the public in “Rocky” (1976), Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) was a poor club fighter from Philadelphia. Through six motion pictures spanning 30 years, he became a national icon, ascending to the top of the boxing world and winning international acclaim before spiraling back to his roots.

In the beginning, he hung out with his pal, Paulie (Burt Young), flirted with Paulie’s sister, Adrian (Talia Shire), trained at Mighty Mick’s Boxing, a gym owned by former boxer Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith) and collected for a loan shark.

His life was going nowhere until he was chosen to fight heavyweight champ Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) on New Year’s Day in Philadelphia. Mickey approaches Rocky to become his trainer. The men become friends, forming a bond that would last through Rocky’s rise. Rocky also abandons his collections job and pursues a relationship with Adrian.

The training regimen includes early-morning runs through the streets of Philly, hours in the gym, punching frozen sides of beef and pounding steel with a sledgehammer. The “Italian Stallion,” a million-to-one shot, goes the distance with Creed but loses by decision.

“Rocky II” (1979) picks up after the fight. After recovery, Rocky retires from the ring, marries Adrian and settles into domestic life. When he loses his job, he develops the urge to fight again. Damage to his eye during the Creed fight and a pregnant Adrian’s disapproval hold him back until the champ calls him out.

Creed issues a rematch challenge to Rocky to force him out of retirement. Against Adrian’s wishes, Rocky accepts and begins training with Mickey. Rocky’s half-hearted focus disappears completely when Adrian is rushed to the hospital. She gives birth to their son but falls into a coma. Devastated, Rocky backs away from training to remain with his wife.

When she finally awakens, Adrian tells Rocky to “win.” His training begins anew, this time with purpose and fierce determination.

The rematch is a slugfest lasting into the 15th round. Ahead on points, Creed’s pride forces him to go for the knockout, but Rocky responds with a flurry and both fighters go to the canvas. With Creed down, Rocky is able to rise and win the heavyweight title.

“Rocky III” (1982) ushers in massive changes for Rocky and Adrian. Having ascended to the top, the family, now including their son, Rocky Jr., lives in a mansion and enjoys the spoils of international stardom. When up-and-coming heavyweight fighter Clubber Lang (Mr. T) challenges Rocky, Mickey threatens to quit as his manager. Rocky begs him for one more fight before retirement and Mickey reluctantly agrees.

As training begins, Rocky has lost his edge. He envisions one final hurrah before fading back into family life. The party-like atmosphere upsets Mickey while Clubber prepares with hunger and drive.

Prior to the fight, Mickey collapses. He dies in the locker room before Rocky is knocked out. After Mickey’s funeral, Rocky falls into a void, depressed from losing his friend and angry from believing in his own image. When former champ Apollo Creed appears and makes an offer to help regain the title, Rocky accepts.

Creed’s plan is to change the brawler into a sharp, agile boxer in his own image. Rocky finds it hard to adjust, lost in Mickey’s death and feeling his hold on the title was not real. A scolding from Adrian sets him straight. He responds to Apollo’s plan and puts total effort into training.

Rocky wins by knockout in three rounds, regaining the title and keeping his promise to Apollo as the two fighters square off in the ring of an empty gym.

In “Rocky IV” (1985), another member of Rocky’s inner circle is lost. Original foe Apollo Creed, who would join Rocky’s team in the third installment, dies in the ring at the hands of Russian fighter Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). To avenge his friend and his country, Rocky fights and defeats Drago in the Soviet Union.

By “Rocky V” (1990), Rocky had fallen on hard times. Financially ruined and suffering from the effects of his boxing life, Rocky becomes manager of fighter Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison), has difficulty with his son and winds up in a street brawl with Gunn. In the end, Rocky and Rocky Jr. resolve their differences.

The final installment in the Rocky series is “Rocky Balboa” (2006). By this time, Adrian has passed away and Rocky has long since retired. He does wind up in a charity boxing match and again, reconciles with his son. The Rocky Balboa character continues in “Creed” (2015) and “Creed II” (2018).

The Rocky Balboa character has become an American icon. Nearly 50 years after the first film, the character, the story and its soundtrack music continue to inspire. The original motion picture score by Bill Conti includes “Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky),” “Going the Distance” and “The Final Bell.” Survivor provided “Eye of the Tiger” for “Rocky III.”

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Tom Laub is The Sentinel Lifestyles editor.