Clubber Lang ain't that bad

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As mentioned earlier, Lang made a sexually inappropriate comment to Adrian at the statue presentation in front of everyone and humiliated her. He also immediately disrespected Apollo Creed without any validation when they first met. These behaviors go beyond just being a loud mouth. He was a morally corrupt individual.

Are you drunk? He talks to Adrian like she's a piece of meat and assaults an old man; arguably leading to his death. He's probably the worst person of all of Rocky's opponents.

He eats only fish and water so he's a swell guy in anybody's book.

Clubber Lang (as with all Balboa's opponents) are merely 'metaphors' for hurdles that Rocky must overcome. Which is why every successive movie, has to 'up the ante' (so to speak) It's usually never the same metaphor twice (or at least in a row)

Apollo signified 'Pride' to Rocky (in their first fight) primarily because no-one gave him a chance
Apollos increased bragidoccio/training, signified 'Doubt' to Rocky (in their rematch)

By the time #III came along, Rocky is now champ (allbeit an unbeknownst paper champ) Complacency has set in and (like Apollo before him) Balboa takes Lang for granted.....and pays the price. This signifies 'fear' (because despite the animosity between Rocky in Apollo in the first two movies....'fear' never played a part in either fight as it did in III)

Now his trainer and title have gone, Rocky's 'ego' is shot to shit. In a telling moment (during his argument with Adrian on the beach) Rocky expresses genuine fear about the rematch with Lang (and previously mentions that he doesn't want to lose what he's got, which is likely his bruised ego talking) Adrian replies that 'Money, cars and houses' aren't everything.
Rocky can't see past the accumulated wealth, to realise that all he's bothered about (at this stage in the game) is losing face. After their argument on the beach, comes to a head. Rocky (and the audience) know that he could always beat 'Lang' (but was previously gripped with fear) With Adrian's love and Apollo's belief.....Rocky overcomes his fear and defeats the bully. Note that Adrian remarks "Ain't So Bad" earlier to Rocky (in regards to their dwellings, whilst they stay with Apollo) which Rocky (now beyond his 'fear' threshold) taunts Lang with in their rematch.

Which is why I never think of either, Creed, Lang, Drago, Gunn or Dixon as outright 'bad-guys' (just opponents of circumstance in the Rocky universe) designed (primarily) as metaphorical obstacles for Rocky to overcome.

Rocky "Pride"
Rocky II 'Doubt'
Rocky III 'Fear'
Rocky IV 'Revenge'
Rocky V 'Loyalty'
Rocky Balboa 'Belief

Rant over.

I mostly agree with this. Clubber had a legitimate grievance. Many dangerous up and coming boxers do find it hard to get a break because top ranked fighters have managers who find ways to pass them over. Were boxing a little less corrupt, Rocky probably would have been forced to defend against clubber a long time ago, but instead Clubber has to live like a poor man, beating everybody while living in Rocky's shadow wondering if he will ever get a fight. I can fully understand him showing up at the statue ceremony and calling Rocky out. It looks rude, but if that's the only way to get the media to put pressure on Rocky to fight him then he had to do what he had to do. He has his future to consider and deserved a shot. My only issues with Clubber are the way he spoke to Adrian and the way he treated Apollo in the first fight.

You're right. Rocky even repeats it several times during the film.


https://youtu.be/vZwJmnQPqyc?si=j-bpPyONAOCoRwxq&t=60

Evil? Maybe not. But as a person, as a human being, he's a bully, an arrogant prick, and generally a piece of shit. You'd have to be a bona fide asshole to admire a cocksucker like that.