:: BIOGRAPHY ::

Rocky Balboa was once a small-time boxer living in an apartment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His career hadn't ever really gotten off the canvas. Rocky earned a living by collecting debts for a loan shark named Gazzo, still boxing every once in a while to keep his skills sharp. It was at this stage in his life where he met his wife to be, Adrian, an extremely shy woman working in a local Pet Store. Adrian is the sister of Rocky's long time best friend Paulie.

Rocky's big break came when current world heavyweight boxing champion Apollo Creed had the idea of giving an unknown a shot at the title. After checking out the Philadelphia boxing scene, he chose Rocky. Rocky's only aim was to go the distance with the champ, his sheer determination saw him through to the end of a bloody battle. Enraged by this Apollo offers him a rematch to show the fans Rocky's achievement was a fluke and get a little respect back in the boxing world. Rocky trains harder, improves, celebrates not only his marriage but the birth of a son and wins the match with only seconds to spare.

After celebrating a long line of victories Rocky considered retiring until challenged by southside slugger Clubber Lang. Rocky lost his title to Lang inside of 2 rounds whilst his long time manager and mentor, Mickey, was suffering a heart attack. Because Rocky had lost the title, and his manager Mickey, Apollo Creed offered to train Rocky and help him regain the "eye of the tiger". Rocky trained in California, improving his movment, speed and stamina and regained his title from Clubber Lang in a rematch.

By this time Apollo who had been retired since Rocky had beaten him all those years ago was getting hungry for action and desired a return to the ring. Opportunity to do so came when an arrogant Russian fighter named Ivan Drago issued an open challenge to american fighters for an exhibition bout. The fight was brutal, and ultimately ended in Apollo's death.

Rocky took revenge on the Russian by destroying him in Moscow on Christmas day, enduring the most punishment he had ever taken. This ultimately forced Rocky to retire from Boxing but could not have come at a worse time as Rocky's accounttant had embezzled funds from his account and made poor investments, losing Rocky his home and all his money.