Reluctantly retired from fighting, Rocky takes charge of Mickey’s gym and agrees to train a young protégé who’s hungry for success.

Rocky, the reigning world champion, accepts a boxing challenge from Clubber Lang and loses the match. He also ends up losing his credibility as a champion, and has to fight to get it back.

Rocky struggles in family life after his bout with Apollo Creed, while the embarrassed champ insistently goads him to accept a challenge for a rematch.