When did Rocky’s fights take place? After months of painstaking research and consultation with some of the world’s top Rocky experts, and in celebration of our new Rocky Boxing Tour Collection, we here at Contenders have determined once and for all when and where The Italian Stallion had his most legendary battles. 

Rocky Balboa vs. Spider Rico 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania November 25, 1975

How did we confirm?
The date, month and year are confirmed on screen.

Interesting facts.
The novelization of Rocky has the date listed as November 12, 1975 and Spider Rice is the opponent not Rico. 

Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed I 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania January 1st, 1976

How did we confirm? 
Date, month and year confirmed in dialogue multiple times. 

Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed II 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania November 25th, 1976

How did we confirm?
Date, month and year confirmed in dialogue at press conference. 

Interesting facts.
The Rocky II and Rocky III novels have the rematch date as October 1st, 1976.

Rocky Balboa vs. Thunderlips - Charity Exhibition
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 14, 1981

How did we confirm? 
The date of the event was Wednesday May 14, 1982 according to the newspaper dated May 15, 1982 from the next day that fades on screen BUT we have a little problem. Since we know for sure Micky died in 1981 from his tombstone, we can only assume the whoever created the newspaper for the film botched the year or the actual newspaper made a typo.

Rocky Balboa vs. Clubber Lang
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania August 15, 1981

How did we confirm?
Month, date and year confirmed on Micky’s grave. 

Rocky Balboa vs. Clubber Lang II 
New York City, New York February 28th, 1982

How did we confirm?
Month, date and year confirmed by Adrian’s scrapbook which Rocky looks at in a deleted scene in Creed that you can see on the DVD. 

Interesting facts.
Total credit for finding this one goes to one of our Rocky historians, Mike Kunda who operates the Yo, Philly! Rocky Film Tour in Philadelphia. The tour is a must for any Rocky fan and Mike is a class act. Be sure to watch his documentary film, The Pretender and listen to his Rocky podcast. 

Rocky Balboa vs. Ivan Drago
Moscow, Russia December 25, 1985

How did we confirm?
Year confirmed by Rocky and Adrian talking about being married for 9 years. 

Year confirmed by Rocky’s license plate expiring the following year in 86.

Year confirmed by date on Apollo’s grave being 1985. 

Month and date confirmed in dialogue in film. 

Interesting facts.
We received some debate on the year from Rocky historians sighting that several times it’s mentioned that Apollo has been retired for 5 years but it’s entirely possible he fought on until 1980 or didn’t announce his retirement until 1980. Therefore, we are confident the above facts seal the deal for 1985. Ok. We know what you’re thinking. What about the infamous third encounter between Balboa and Creed that ends Rocky III? Yes. That does mean the sparring match between Rocky and Apollo took place in November of '84 NOT '82 but since there’s no mention when the sparring match takes place in Rocky III and with the above concrete info and throw in Paulie’s birthday party based off his grave in Creed - we’re standing by 1984 for the sparring match. 

Rocky Balboa vs. Tommy Gunn
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania February 14th, 1987

How did we confirm?
In our opinion this is the only one, so far, that can’t be 100% confirmed and is up for debate but here’s what our research department came up with. 

The film begins immediately after Russia so that puts us end of '85/start of '86. If a year passes that makes the Christmas scene where Gunn leaves Rocky - Christmas of 1986. Gunn gets the title shot shortly thereafter and it’s still cold when they street fight so one would have to go with Jan, Feb or March of 1987. 

Now there is a world where you could argue more time went by and it’s Christmas of 1987 or 1988 or 1989 or even 1990 but with no acknowledgement of any time passing and the characters all looking the same, we’re going with Gunn being with Rocky for just 1 year and he fought a ton. Plus, we think Rocky wouldn’t diss his son like that for more than a year cause Adrian would be on his ass. Lastly, Tommy has 14 fights with Rocky and back then it was entirely possible to do that in a year because in the late 1980s between Atlantic City and Philadelphia there literally was fight cards almost every week.

Lastly, we are disregarding the argument about his son’s age as well, obviously that doesn’t make sense at all but we all know why the age jumped - Sly wanted to cast his kid. The movie clearly starts immediately after the trip to Russia. 

Rocky Balboa vs. Mason Dixon
Las Vegas, Nevada February 26, 2006 

How did we confirm?
Year is confirmed by Rocky’s birthday. He was 30 in late 75 and it’s said on screen he’s 59 thus making it 2006 but prior to July his birthday.

Interesting facts.
None of the on-screen posters or advertisements say what day or month that the fight takes place. We are taking a little liberty here and going with February 26th because it was freezing cold when Rocky was training and the 26th was a Saturday which was the night HBO aired all their fights. If someone out there can confirm the month or date- we’d love to hear from you and complete our definitive guide!

Thanks for reading and keep it real… keep it Rocky!