Adonis Johnson never knew his father, heavyweight world champion Apollo Creed, who died before Adonis was born. But there's no doubt that boxing is in his blood—so Adonis travels to Philadelphia, where Apollo Creed once fought his famous bout against the tough young boxer Rocky Balboa. In the city of brotherly love, Adonis seeks out Rocky and asks him to become his trainer. Rocky firmly refuses, wanting nothing more to do with combat sports. However, he immediately recognizes that Adonis has inherited the strength and determination for which Apollo was known—and from the fierce rivalry between Apollo and Rocky, a close friendship later developed.