Originally posted on 03/01/2010:

Apollo Creed I -10000
Rocky Balboa I +7500

Buster Douglas went off as a 42-1 dog against "Iron" Mike Tyson, but he was a legitimate pro with a respectable record. The "Italian Stallion" up to this point was just a local club fighter. Rocky had fought in 64 fights, winning 44 (38 knockouts) and losing 20. Not exactly a confidence-inspiring record by any stretch. But, it does highlight his KO power! His previous fight was a second round knockout over local fighter Spider Rico. Stepping into the ring with Apollo Creed - undefeated, undisputed HW champ of the world - was a gargantuan step up in class which would probably not even be sanctioned. Apollo goes off as close to a 1-100 favorite at my sportsbook.

Apollo Creed II -1000
Rocky Balboa II +750

Rocky did well to get a split decision in 15 brutal championship rounds. Who would have won if the fight continued? Rocky clearly had the edge in Rounds 14 and 15, punishing the champ's ribcage and making him spit blood in the center of the ring. Bookies realize that Rocky has the power and the toughness to duke it out with Apollo. But, Apollo had underestimated the Stallion in their first encounter. Surely, the champ will not make the same blunder for Superfight II. Bookies suspect that Apollo will train his ass off and show the world that the first fight was nothing but a fluke. They give Balboa a puncher's chance and install Creed as the -1000 favorite.

Rocky Balboa III -240
Clubber Lang +200

The Italian Stallion is now the World Champ after defeating Apollo in a thrilling battle where both fighters simultaneously tasted canvas. Rocky showed his toughness by rising before the count whilst Apollo slumped in the corner after making a valiant effort to come to his feet. The new, hungry #1 contender, a Philadelphian battler himself is out to show that Rocky's been duckin' fighters. Apparently, Mickey has been picking and choosing the Rock's challengers so as to protect his charge. Clubber is hungry and determined to become champ. His powerful hooks are no joke as he dispatches fighters left and right. Has Rocky trained hard enough for this encounter? His highly publicised training regimen irked the old-school Mickey who felt that Rocky had lost his grit. Tough one for the bookies but they know the public money will come in on the Stallion. Interesting note: If someone was in Rocky's training room moments before the fight, and witnessed the ill status of Mickey, they would have pounded the Clubber Lang line. Steam!

(REMATCH)
Rocky Balboa III +180
Clubber Lang -200

Clubber dispatched of Rocky in 3 swift rounds. Can Rocky deal with his power? Apollo takes it upon himself to train Rock for this encounter. He doesn't want to see the man who took his title to fall victim to this classless bum. Rocky's mind is elsewhere during the early parts of his training. He's still grieving over his good friend and mentor/trainer Mickey's death. Apollo wonders if Rocky still has the Eye of the Tiger. It takes Adrian to bitchslap Rocky into reality until finally he gets his act together. Apollo tries to mold the Stallion into an Italian version of himself. Although Rocky will never have the fluid motion and sick jabbing prowess of Apollo, he does become much quicker and develops a machine-gun jab. He comes into this fight the lightest he's ever been, weighing in at 192 lbs to Clubber's 231.

Apollo Creed IV -400
Ivan Drago +350

This is an exhibition fight pitting a 40 year old former undisputed champ in Apollo (who's been retired for years now), and The Siberian Bull, undefeated amateur boxer from U.S.S.R. Ivan Drago. Tough fight to set the line. Apollo is past his prime, hasn't fought in years. Drago is essentially an unknown. The bookies know the money will come in on Creed. The public will expect him to outslick and outmaneuver the large Russian. The betting public will underestimate the Russian, thinking he is immobile and severely underestimates his punching power.

Rocky Balboa IV +190
Ivan Drago -220

Rocky decides to fight in Russia, in front of rabid Soviet fans to attempt to defeat the superhuman Russian and avenge the death of his good friend, Apollo. Homecourt juice installed. Adrian tells Rocky "You Can't Win!!" Rocky has to train out in the wilderness under the guidance of two Soviet chaperones. Apollo's former trainer is training Rocky for this one. It's all business. Rocky climbs a mountain and yells "Drago!"

Rocky Balboa V +190
Tommy Gunn -220

Tough line to set seeing as how it's a streefight. Rocky has the homecourt advantage here. He's a prizefighter AND a streetfighter. Years of work as a low-level enforcer in the Philly mob has accustomed the Stallion to brawling in the alleyway if need be. Tommy Gunn is a good enough boxer in the ring, who rose to prominence during a weak era of the HW division, but he is out of his element fighting on the asphalt outside of a local Philly bar. However, he is the much younger fighter in his peak whilst Rocky has been out of action for years and furthermore, is suffering from some head trauma.

Rocky Balboa VI +750
Mason "The Line" Dixon -1000

Rocky is geriatric by boxing standards and out of shape. Mason Dixon is fully in his prime and looks set to school the Stallion.

Added Games:
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Union Cane +180
Tommy Gunn -200

Union Cane is a paper champ. Tommy Gunn has blasted his way to a title shot and should win this one.

Thunderlips -110
Rocky Balboa III -110
Draw +1000

Too hard to set the line. More of a prop bet for the bookies. $100 limit.