"Rocky" and the "Boxing Renaissance of the Eighties"

"Rocky" and the "Boxing Renaissance of the Eighties"

On July 26, 2006, Michael Katz posted an article at thesweetscience.com titled "Yo, Adrian, Let's Hail the Spirit of '76" which explores the factors that led to a boxing "Renaissance of the Eighties." The great fighters that came out of the 1976 Olympics played a major role, but Katz also credits "Rocky." Here's what he had to say:

There was another major factor in producing the Eighties’ ring revival.

“The ‘Rocky’ movie,” said [Boxing Promoter Bob] Arum.

Sylvester Stallone’s film, based on so many real boxing nuggets – Rocky Balboa, like Joe Frazier, hitting the sides of beef; the instruction to the corner to “cut me,” when he couldn’t see out of a swollen eye – captured the public imagination. It was more real than the reality series, “The Contender,” which Stallone would attempt many years later.

“In the movie,” said Arum, “he had more control – he was the writer and the director.”

The Spirit of ’76 remains with us. There’s another “Rocky” movie due this year, but more apropos, if one forgets about the heavyweights, the talent level is extraordinarily high in the real thing.

Thirty years later and "Rocky" is still getting props. And rightly so. For the full report, click HERE. - Craig