Rocky: Every Final Fight Ranked Worst To Best

6. Rocky Vs. Mason Dixon (Rocky Balboa)

Rocky 1976
MGM

At sixty, Sly Stallone wanted to prove he still had what it takes to make Rocky a threat. This fight, in the brilliant and underrated Rocky Balboa, pits the aging warrior against the brutal Mason "The Line" Dixon, in a fight that's less about their skill, and more about Rocky's unrivalled determination.

This is a fight that goes exactly as expected, with Rocky becoming overwhelmed before digging deep and putting all his rage and grief on his opponent, thus coming back to give the younger champion a run for his money.

He loses, but who cares? The fight is excellent and arguably the franchise's most inspirational. Rocky has faced some juggernauts, but to go into the ring in his sixth decade to show the world he's still a champion remains one of his all-time finest moments.

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I get to write about what I love, so that's pretty cool. Every great film should seem new every time you see it. Be excellent to each other.