Warning: Spoilers ahead for Creed 3.One subtle reference in Creed 3 seems to disrespect Rocky's iconic catchphrase. Following the storylines established by its predecessors, Creed 3 sets out to etch its own path in the boxing movie franchise by focusing solely on Adonis' journey. Directed by Micheal B. Jordan himself, the movie portrays how Donnie has risen above his underdog status in the boxing world and now faces the challenge of sustaining his legacy against a worthy underdog opponent. Although the movie's primary narrative avoids delving into Adonis' history and relationship with Rocky, it does not hold itself back from drawing parallels between Rocky and Adonis' boxing philosophies.

For instance, even when he is at the epitome of his boxing career in Creed 3, Adonis does not forget that his biggest opponent is no one but himself, which in tandem with what Rocky used to preach. Despite being well-off in Creed III, Micheal B. Jordan's Adonis also follows Rocky's footsteps by using unorthodox methods of training that are not in par with Rocky's meat punching and egg chugging but are reminiscent of The Italian Stallion's unconventional ways. However, while these references to the parent franchise serve as tributes to Rocky's legacy, an Adonis Creed dialogue contrasts this by taking a jab at one of Rocky's well-known quotes.

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Adonis Changes Rocky's Catchphrase In Creed 3

Rocky Creed 3 Adonis

Every time Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa falls to the ground and feels defeated, it is hard not to visualize how his uplifting catchphrase — "It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." — must be ringing through his head. That is when he always gets back up and proves that his perseverance can help him beat all odds and his insurmountable will is the primary driver of his boxing success. Considering how Adonis adopts a similar mindset during setbacks inside and outside the boxing ring, it is strange that he changes Rocky's line to "It's not always about how hard you can hit...it's about control...focus."

Adonis may not be wrong about the importance of controlled and focused effort in the boxing ring, but his boxing credo contrasts Rocky's. While Rocky's boxing ideology inclines towards showing courage and grit even during the hardest of times, alluding to Sylvester Stallone's real-life struggles, Adonis seems to emphasize more on the technical aspects of the sport. Both can be viable tenets that determine a boxer's success in the ring. However, the fact that Adonis repeats the first half of Rocky's catchphrase only to change it to something entirely different seems a little disrespectful.

Creed 3's Catchphrase Change Disrespects Rocky's Legacy On The Franchise

Adonis Creed and Rocky Balboa at the Rocky steps

Rocky's boxing journey, fighting style, and legacy inspired many because he started as an average Joe, weighed down by his deferred boxing dreams. He made his way to the top by never backing down in the face of extreme trials and tribulations. His iconic quote represents how despite having an underwhelming boxing career and being looked down upon by nearly everyone, he overpowered some of the best boxers like Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago and turned his life around with his ability to "keep moving forward."

By altering the very essence of Rocky's credo, Creed 3 almost dismisses what made Rocky so great. To some degree, however, it does make sense for Creed to make this distinction since the franchise is heading in a new direction, away from the shadow of Rocky's legacy. Owing to this, the catchphrase in Creed 3 comes off more as a reinvention than an insult of Rocky's teachings, establishing that although Rocky was a crucial figure in Adonis' formative boxing years, Donnie's boxing style and philosophies are not an emulation of Rocky's.

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