‘Thank God a Character Like That Existed’: Sylvester Stallone Once Shared How the Late Muhammad Ali Inspired an Iconic Character From ‘The Rocky’ Series

Boxing champion Muhammad Ali is often considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Rightfully called, ‘The Greatest’, Ali is credited for bringing in fans and re-instilling in them the love for boxing. In fact, Hollywood superstar Sylvester Stallone once mentioned how Ali inspired one of the main characters from ‘The Rocky’ series.

Stallone was at the premiere of ‘Rocky Balboa’ in 2006. At the venue, a reporter asked him about his thoughts on Ali. In response, Stallone said, “He’s everything an athlete should be, and a man should be. And we’ll never see the likes of him again.”

Moreover, he mentioned that Ali was the inspiration behind the character Apollo Creed.

Notably, Creed, portrayed by Carl Weathers, was Rocky Balboa’s opponent in the first Rocky movie. And later went on to become one of his closest allies. Talking about Ali inspiring the character, Stallone said, “I based Apollo Creed on him. Thank God a character like that existed, because I never would have thought one up.

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In the movie, Creed is the undisputed heavyweight champion. And was portrayed as an eccentric showman. While at the same time also being a technically skilled fighter.

How a Muhammad Ali fight inspired the Rocky series

While there is no denying that Muhammad Ali inspired one of the most iconic characters in the series. It seems like one of Ali’s fights inspired Sylvester Stallone to start the series.

Ali faced Chuck Wepner at the Richfield Coliseum in Ohio in 1975. Talking about the fight, Stallone said, “Chuck Wepner was basically a guy who everybody considered a joke. He was known as the Bayonne Bleeder, and it was clear that his only notable contribution to the history of pugilism would be just how badly Ali would destroy him.”

While Ali won the fight, Wepner was able to knock him down during the fight. Stallone was inspired by the fact that an underdog was able to showcase a powerful performance against the champ. And, he decided to make the Rocky series, which focuses not only on boxing but also on personal triumph.

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What do you think of Stallone’s thoughts about Ali? Do share in the comments below.