Its something ive noticed alot over the years, boxers referring to rocky films like its there holy grail! I bet if you asked all the boxers out there to name there boxing inspiration I bet top of the tree wouldnt be ali, it wouldnt be mike tyson, it would be rocky balboa lol that guy I bet has been responsible for tens of thousands of young men going into the gym for the first time, of which some will now be world champions! I cant think of any other sport where a fictional character has had such an impact on a sport?
Even carl froch referred to a line from rocky balboa on skysports the otherday! When he was asked 'do you think you deserved to beat groves?' he replied 'like rocky balboa said, its not how hard you can hit that makes a champion, its how hard you can be hit and still keep coming forward!' Thats when it dawned on me, its why he fights like he does, he wants to be rocky cause he fights with no defence either!
Then the final link hit me, his son of course is called 'rocco' need I say more!? lol
Why do all boxers love rocky films?
posted on 4/12/13
Not sure it would have gone down well if Froch had called his son Mohammed Ali don't you think?
The Rocky movies do influence many boxers but still the main pioneer is Ali
posted on 4/12/13
No way, young kids in the 80s would not no who ali was, rocky would of been there first introduction to boxing and what got them into the gym! Id agree once they got a little older and started watching real boxers, ali and tyson would of inspired them on further but no way would ali of been there first taste of boxing!!
posted on 4/12/13
Maybe because I am Muslim Ali was more prominent to boxing than Rocky was. Ali left a legacy for decades. Even as kid watching the Rocky fights I could tell they were unrealistic.
posted on 4/12/13
Well carl froch seems to think hes real cause trys to fight exactly the same lol! Its certanly an interesting debate though, who has inspired the boxers of the past 20 years more, Ali or rocky??