"What could be better than walking down any street in any city and knowing you're the heavyweight champion of the world?"

"That was a fucking dumb question. If I didn't think I was gonna win, why the hell would I be fighting?!"

"Why waltz with a guy for 10 rounds if you can knock him out in one?"

"I don't want to be remembered as a beaten champion."

"Roland La Starza was tough, but Ezzard Charles was the toughest man I ever fought. I learned what pain was all about …"

"Rocky is not in there to outpoint anybody with an exhibition of boxing skill. He is a primitive fighter who stalks hi…"

"I got a guy who's short, stoop shouldered and balding with two left feet. They all look better than he does as far as…"

"I was on my face. I heard the count from one to 10. I kept telling myself that I had to get up, but I couldn't move. …"

"The greatness of Marciano in the ring was defined by the way he prepared for a fight, his ability to punch and take a…"

"Rocky didn't know enough boxing to know what a feint was. He never tried to outguess you. He just kept trying to knoc…"