Rocky might be the most famous movie boxer, but according to creator/star Sylvester Stallone, none of the movies are actually sports films. Stallone was a struggling actor for much of the early '70s. He appeared in small roles in films like Bananas and played the main villain in Death Race 2000, but it was Rocky that was his major break. He penned the drama about a small-time fighter who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the world heavyweight champion. The first Rocky movie is the ultimate feelgood underdog story, with the film being a major success that launched a franchise.

Some of the later outings like Rocky IV moved away from the grounded feel of the original, but every entry explored a new chapter in the character's life. The iconography of the saga, including the training montages, Rocky running up the Art Museum's flight of stairs or its rousing music, have often served as inspiration for athletes of all kinds. However, as he revealed on podcast Unwaxed - hosted by his daughters Sistine and Sophia - Stallone utterly rejects calling Rocky a sports movie. To him, "Rocky is a love story about a broken-down fighter. That's all it is." For Stallone, the film is a drama and a romance between the title character and Adrian (Talia Shire), with boxing serving as a metaphor for his struggles in life.

Related: Why Rocky Shows So Little Of His Apollo Creed Fight

Stallone Used Rocky's Boxing As Subtext

Rocky at the top of the steps in Rocky

While boxing and the final fight with Apollo Creed obviously play a major part in Rocky, for most of its runtime, it's a tender drama. Stallone claims the two kinds of sports people relate to most are racing or boxing. With the former, it's because people often feel they're running against a clock to meet deadlines, with this stress being a key motivator. With boxing, Stallone feels it's a good metaphor for how people are always facing battles of some kind, and they have to learn to never give up - even after taking a bruising.

With Rocky, the character has to overcome his own self-doubts to not only romance Adrian but to be taken seriously as a fighter and prove he can go the distance in the ring. Stallone feels sporting dramas are often about the main character training hard to be the best and ultimately succeeding, but by Rocky's ending, the character doesn't even win the fight. The key difference is, Rocky doesn't care, as he proved to himself he was worthy of the challenge. Instead of listening out for the final result, he's solely focused on being with Adrian.

The Metaphor Was Reused In Every Rocky Movie

rocky-win

Rocky used boxing as a literal but apt subtext, as did the many sequels. Rocky II saw him struggle to adjust to life after his big moment had passed, including becoming a father. Rocky III saw him reckoning with the loss of his trainer Mickey and the idea he had lost the "eye of the tiger" and was obsolete. Rocky Balboa was about struggling with loss and aging, but still having something to prove. While the term "sports movie" certainly applies to both the Rocky and Creed movies, it's best not to use that term around Stallone.

Next: Why Stallone Killed Off Adrian In Rocky Balboa (Was It A Mistake?)