Apollo Creed

Apollo Creed is a fictional character from the Rocky films, played by Carl Weathers. He appeared in the series' first four films and served as the main antagonist in Rocky and Rocky II. He became one of the protagonists in Rocky III and Rocky IV. The character was inspired in part by the real-life boxing champion Muhammad Ali, having what one author remarked as the same "brash, vocal, [and] theatrical" personality. The film's writer and star, Sylvester Stallone, said that "[Jack] Johnson served as the inspiration for the character of Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies." The character also is loosely based on Sugar Ray Leonard and Joe Louis.