The Greatest Turnaround From a ‘Boo’ in History: Rocky Vs Drago
by The TLDR Dribbler
Lately I’ve been really loving the “boo” rhetoric, and it got me thinking once again, what is the greatest turnaround from a boo?
After much research, thought, and consideration, I came to a historic event that unfolded in 1985 on Christmas Day in the Soviet Union.
One of the greatest boxing matches of all time.
Rocky Balboa vs Ivan Drago.
Leading up to the boo & turnaround was an agreed 15 round unsanctioned fight to take place at a troubling time for relations between the US and the Soviet Union. The match was built on rage and a deep urge for revenge and justice.
Rocky was riding high on his emotions after the shocking death of his friend, trainer, previous rival, and mentor Apollo Creed. There was a lot of kickback to the match even being held, so much so that Rocky’s beloved wife Adrian refused to travel in support.
The Match.
Rocky enters the area and is almost pounded into the core of the earth with boos alone. To take that much booing and still be able to stand before Drago has entered the ring is an achievement in itself for any man. Drago enters with high applause, basically setting the tone for the rest of the match.
ROUND 1: Drago goes on the offensive and smokes Rocky to within an inch of his life. Rocky stays strong like the champion he is.
ROUND 2: It starts off similar to the first with Drago on the attack. Towards the end of the 2nd, Rocky connects a brutal right hook that cuts Drago eye. This stuns Drago so much that he comments to his corner, Rocky “is not human, he is like a piece of iron”. At this point Drago realizes he’s in one of the great alpha battles. This is momentous as it gets the crowd to take notice of Rocky….
Over the following rounds, a fierce battle takes place with plenty of connecting shots. Warriors giving their all for their nation and for their lost ones.
Now in the 12th round, the hostile Soviet crowd has been moved so much by Rocky’s determination, will, power and hog, they have started chanting his name.
Think about how huge that is. The Soviet Union is chanting for Rocky over Drago. The Soviet Union is chanting for an athlete from the USA over their beloved fighter created in a lab by the Soviet Union. What a fucking turnaround.
Rocky takes an opportunity and with a series of well-timed blows, eventually knocks out Drago to win. Afterward, he gives one of the great speeches to a Soviet crowd sitting in silence, hanging on his every word.
“If I can change, and you can change, everybody can change”.
Led by the premier of the Soviet Union, Rocky then gets a fucking standing O by the entire stadium. An American has gone from one of the all-time boos to turn it around for a standing O in the Soviet Union.
Question to the punter aaaaaannnnddddd dribbler…. What’s the greatest turnaround from a boo.
Boos & standing Os soon x
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