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Rocky Balboa Was Inspired By...

Rocky is one of the most iconic sports movies ever made. The story of Rocky Balboa—a small-time boxer who gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship—has been told in several sequels over the years, but its original 1976 version remains a classic.

There are several spoiler alerts throughout this article. If you haven't watched the movie, stop reading, go watch it, then come back and read this!

It was a box office success and won three Oscars, including Best Picture. The movie is one of the top 100 movies of all time, according to Rotten Tomatoes with an approval rating of 94%.

In Rocky, Sylvester Stallone plays Rocky Balboa--a down-and-out boxer who gets his chance at glory when he meets Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). Creed challenges Balboa to a fight for the title, but Balboa doesn't think he can win because he's outmatched both physically and financially by his opponent.

However, through hard work and determination he manages to defeat Creed and become champion! Now, you're wondering whether or not Rocky was based on a real person.

The answer is yes and no: while this film focuses on fictional characters like Rocky Balboa and his opponent Apollo Creed, it was inspired by the life of real-life boxer and former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano.

Small-time Boxer At The World Heavyweight Championship

Rocky is a small-time boxer who gets the chance to fight for the world heavyweight championship. Rocky isn't expected to win, but he manages to pull off an upset and become champion.

Here is one of the most iconic scenes from the first Rocky as he trains for his upcoming opponent.

The story of Rocky Balboa is also inspired by Sylvester Stallone's own life. Like his character, Stallone was an underdog with little money or fame when he wrote the screenplay for Rocky in 1976. At that time, he was working as a waiter and had been rejected by studios when he tried pitching them ideas for movies like First Blood (the first Rambo movie).

Stallone did eventually get his big break as an actor when he landed his role as John Rambo in First Blood, but not before several years went by where he struggled with unemployment while trying unsuccessfully to get roles offered instead only small parts that didn't pay well at all!

Who Is Rocky Marciano?

The Rocky character is based on the life of real-life boxer and former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano. Born in Brockton, Massachusetts in 1923, Marciano began boxing professionally after serving in World War II.

Marciano's Legacy As A Boxer

Rocky Marciano is the only heavyweight boxer to retire from boxing with an undefeated record of 49 wins and 0 losses (43 by knockout). Marciano is widely considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time (which is well-deserved).

Rocky's Legacy Lives On in Film History

Marciano died a tragic death in a plane crash in 1969. Rocky is a classic film that has stood the test of time. It's been over 40 years since it was first released, but people are still watching it today because it tells such an amazing story about overcoming obstacles and staying true to yourself.

The movie also shows us how much one person can achieve when they believe in themselves enough not give up despite all odds being against them!