We first meet Apollo Creed in "Rocky." Then the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world, he must find a replacement for his match in Philadelphia after his original opponent injured his hand.
He chooses to face Rocky Balboa, a southpaw fighter from Philly who was known better on the streets as a loan shark than a boxer.
Not taking his opponent seriously, Creed comes to the fight unprepared, thinking it will be an easy win.
But Rocky proves he's got what it takes, lasting longer than anyone expected.
He actually goes the distance with Creed. But does not win the match.
When the fight ends, both whisper to each other they don't want a rematch.
True to his word, Rocky announces after the fight (the start of "Rocky II") that he's retiring from boxing, and he marries his sweetheart, Adrian.
But Apollo can't let go of the loss to Rocky. He reads mail from people who call him a bum and think Rocky was the real winner of the fight.
After months of ducking, Rocky finally agrees to fight Creed again. With a baby on the way, he needs the money (but he also thinks he could have beat the champ).
The two once again have an epic fight, better than in "Rocky." A big reason for that is because it concludes with one of the most dramatic endings ever in a sports movie.
With both fighters lying on the canvas, Rocky gets to his feet first before the referee counts to 10, beating Creed and becoming the new heavyweight champion.
Both men leave the ring with the full respect for the other.
In "Rocky III," Rocky, still the champion, must face his biggest challenge, Clubber Land (Mr. T).
Ringside is Creed, who's expecting Rocky to take care of Clubber quick.
But Clubber turns out to be more than Rocky can handle. Rocky loses the match and the heavyweight title.
A large part of why Rocky lost was the absence of his longtime manager, Mickey. He had chest pains before the bout, and when it was over he died when talking to Rocky.
Rocky has lost the belt and his manager in the same night.
But Creed comes to the rescue, telling Rocky to get a rematch with Clubber, and he'll manage.
Creed brings Rocky to LA to train at his old gym and regain the "eye of the tiger."
Creed's training is different from Mickey's as he builds up Rocky's speed and rhythm for the ring.
Rocky shows he can go toe-to-toe with Clubber.
Rocky retains the title with Creed in his corner.
But Creed asked Rocky to do him one favor. And at the end of "Rocky III," we find out it's the two fighting for a third time behind closed doors. No cameras or newspapers to chronicle it.
In "Rocky IV," Creed agrees to an exhibition fight with the newcomer Ivan Drago from the Soviet Union. Rocky agrees to be in Creed's corner for the fight.
But Drago is too powerful for Creed, and after round one, Rocky wants to stop the fight. Creed won't allow him.
In round two, things aren't better for Creed, and by the time Rocky is ready to throw the towel, Creed is knocked out by Drago.
Creed dies due to the punches he took from Drago in the fight.
Rocky goes on to avenge his friend by beating Drago in a match in the Soviet Union.
Rocky was thought to fade away in Philly after his final fight in 2006. But then Adonis comes into his life in "Creed." And a new chapter begins.
