Rocky IV (Episode 10) - Apollo vs Drago: The Brutal Fight That Changed Everything

Going The Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast · Jun 10, 2026 · 1h 8m · transcript

In this episode of Going the Distance – The Rocky Series Podcast, Ryan is joined by special guest host Big Gun Doug Greenberg from the Rocky Minute podcast for a deep, scene-by-scene breakdown of the brutal exhibition fight between Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago.From Apollo's showmanship and "born again" foreshadowing, the intense size disparity and Drago's devastating power, referee Lou Filippo's inaction, Tony "Duke" Burton's desperate pleas, Rocky's anguish, and the heartbreaking conclusion with Drago's cold "If he dies, he dies," we explore the violence, themes, behind-the-scenes stories…