A flashy, boastful, and flamboyant champion. That sums up Carl Weathers‘ Apollo Creed, who appeared wearing Star-Spangled Banner shorts and an Uncle Sam hat in the Rocky series. Not only was he the epitome of confidence and ambition but he was also bested by his ego.  ‘The Master of Disaster’ might be the second-best boxer to ever walk into the boxing ring when the lines between reality and fiction are blurred. But can he actually topple the most ferocious boxer in history, Mike Tyson?

The saddened demise of Carl Weathers, aged 76, has piqued interest in the character he canvassed perfectly on screen and amassed acclaim for. When the fans first witness Apollo Creed on the screen, the heavyweight champion is nearing the end of his career with a stacked resume. The character, modeled after Muhammad Ali, has racked up all wins through KOs. Where does a prime Apollo Creed stand first in the boxing world?

Carl Weathers’ Apollo Creed: Scaling the Muhammad Ali of Rocky series

Before Apollo Creed clashed with Rocky Balboa, a pub fighter, he stood at 46-0 and could be said to be in his prime. Akin to Muhammad Ali, he was quick, boasted mind-boggling stamina, and had excellent agility. In addition, his footwork and boxing skills surpassed many. Canonically, he was called the greatest of all time, and the fighter surpassed Muhammad Ali.

Muhammad Ali exists in the Rocky Universe and also finds a mention in the 2006 ‘Rocky Balboa’. If Creed was the greatest of all time, that puts him above Ali. That has been stated multiple times throughout the series. That’s what sets Creed apart and puts him in perspective. While Ali was comparatively faster, Creed was stronger and had a bigger frame. The latter also packed more power behind those punches.

In addition, boxers in the Rocky universe know how to take punishment. Despite being retired for years and most probably in his mid-40s when Creed took the Ivan Drago fight, he was able to entertain the Russian threat. He could have eluded Drago’s punches and taken home a loss on points but decided to go out due to his ego, and we all know the rest. So that puts his iron chin on a superior tier. How does ‘Iron Mike’ negate a boxer more skilled than Muhammad Ali with an iron chin?

Mike Tyson: violence incarnate

Raw, untamed power and aggressiveness defined Mike Tyson’s career. The former heavyweight champion imposed his will and power on his opponents and dropped them on the canvas. He was also surprisingly fast for a heavyweight, and the most underrated part of his game was his defense.

The American fighter’s head movement allowed him to avoid foes’ devastating blows, and his peek-a-boo style allowed him to sneak in those thunderous KO blows. His ability to stay low, move around, and slip those punches was something that separated him from the rest. Tyson was pure brutal power when active.

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Remember how Apollo Creed’s ego almost cost him the first Rocky fight and then another loss to Ivan Drago, which proved fatal? Tyson had a sinister aura to him and a no-nonsense approach to fighting. He won several fights as he stepped into the ring, wearing a cutout towel. Psychologically, ‘Kid Dynamite’ remains a notch above everyone and even gives him an advantage against a prime Apollo Creed. But is it enough to fend off the greatest boxer in Creed?

Who takes the win—’Iron Mike’ or Apollo Creed?

Does a hard-hitting Mike Tyson sweep a prime Apollo Creed? “I could take him,” Tyson once declared of his chances against Apollo Creed. In a fictional fight, Tyson’s aggression and power might have posed some challenges for Creed. However, that might not be the case.

Creed’s speed, footwork, and boxing skills all scream Muhammad Ali. But picture this. Creed has already surpassed Ali. With more power and a stronger chin, he doesn’t lack boxing prowess. Even if you could debate whether he would have fought Ali during the latter’s prime or not, that thought goes for a toss. He can just avoid Tyson’s punches, tire him out, and even land a blow that could knock him out. Does Douglas Buster ring a bell?

What about Tyson’s power that can put Creed on the mat? Doesn’t matter. Creed would take the hit, get up, and keep going. A prime Apollo Creed floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee, and beats Mike Tyson.

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What do you make of this hypothetical clash between Mike Tyson and Apollo Creed? Who do you think will edge out the other in a showdown? Let us know in the comments below.