As boxer Rocky Balboa (in a screenplay penned by the Italian Stallion himself), Sylvester Stallone comes out swinging with heart, humor and unforgettable power. Rocky is a Philadelphia club fighter who seems to be going nowhere. But as fate would have it, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) chooses him to be his next opponent.

For Creed, the match is little more than an exhibition, but for Rocky it´s a shot at the big time. Preparing for the bout under the watchful eye of his trainer (Burgess Meredith), Rocky romances Adrian (Talia Shire), a shy young woman who exposes the tenderness beneath his tough exterior. Their love blossoms as the fight approaches, giving Rocky even more strength and purpose to "go the distance" against his brutal adversary.