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 with a Larry Holmes-like jab, and his name is a reference to the Apostle's Creed. 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".