Chapter 3

I ring the door bell and Adrian opens the door with a smile. „Mrs. Balboa", I see the look that she gives me so I quickly correct myself. „Adrian. Thank you again for inviting me."

I step inside as a ROBERTER? comes my way. I give Adrian a shocked and surprised look.

„Rocky" she explains while rolling her eyes.

„Not Rocky. Paulie" hearing his voice I turn around. The older men smiles my way as he goes to hug me.

„Happy belayed birthday, Paulie. It´s so nice to see you."

„Oh, yeah then why haven't I seen you´re face ever since Mikeys funeral" I let my head sink as I look down. It wasn't easy losing him. He was the first men to give me a change and didn't make a difference just because I was a girl. He was like a father to me.

„Hey, you know how I am.", he trys, his voice now softer. "I just wan´t you to know that you´re not alone."

„I know, thanks. I've been busy with work."

„Ugh, I can imagine." He starts while we make our way to the dining room. „This dirt sheets are only out for money no matter what lies they write or who they hurt." Pauli keeps on complaining how much he hates the paper.

„Oh, Pauli enough of it already." I hear Rockys voice. He´s sitting in the dinning room with Apollo and when he sees me he stands up to give me a big hug.

„Hehe slow down casanova I want a hug as well", he laughs as he approces me. No matter how upset or sad I am, Apollo always succeedes to brighten my mood and makeing me laugh.

So, we are still relevent enough for you to interview us, huh Miss Young?", he now teases me.

Adrian enters the room. „The food still needs a little bit. Alexa if you want to do the interview now and then we can eat in peace." I nod as she she turns on her heels and leaves the room.

I set up everthing and get started with the questions.

„First question: What do you think of how the boxing industry has progressed in the last 5 years?"

Rocky is first. „Well, you know it's not different to when we were around."

„Oh come on Stalion. It's nothing without us and we both know it. Since we're gone the whole thing is going down hill. And now some russian chump thinks he could be the next Rocky Balbao."

Rocky and I give him a concerned look.

„That means your not impressed with Ivan Drago in the slightest?"

„No, why should I?" he continuse on. „His just an amateru, his big and strong but his clumsy and I know I can beat him."

I pause at that last sentance. He isn't saying what I think he's saying... Right? I look to Rocky and he just shakes his head.

„Are you saying you want to fight him?" I ask him carefully.

„Yes.", Apollo replise shortly.

„Why?"

„Let's just say it's something I believe in."

Paulie settles in the conversation. „Don't you think people expect Rocky to whack this bum out first?"

Apollo scoffs a little. „Yeah and he will this is just an exhibition bout, ist kids' stuff"

I put my pencil down. Now I'm generally confused. I originally came here to just ask harmless question, but is Apollo really cosidering another fight?

Now I can't keep my mouth shut. „What's the purpose? What's it worth getting hurt at this point in your life?"

„I don't want that chump coming over here with all that hype, they're trying to make us look bad, they tried every other way, with Rock's help we'd get great media coverage and make them look bad for a change."

I that all he thinks about? Making them look bad? „I think thats wrong?" Is the only thing I say.

„No it's never been right."

„You're a great fighter but you've been retired for nearly five years don't you think it's time to start thinking about something else? How much more can you take? Either of you!" I swallow now feeling the tension in the room.

I know I have no buisness saying all of that, espessialy with everthing either one of them has ever done for me. Imediatly I see Apollos eyes harden and Rockys head lowering. „I'm sorry. With Mickey gone, I worry about the both of you now more then ever."

Adrian comes back with the food, but the dinner is quite. Rocky Jr. thankfully lightens the mood and tells us everything that he has learned in school.

Pauli keeps looking between me and Apollo. „Don't you want to tell her? It's her job after all"

„Tell me what?"

I look at him and he sighns. „There is a press conference tomorrow regarding the exibithion fight". I chock up on my water.

„I didn't knew you already settled everthing. I thought this was just talking." My head turns to Rocky how doesn't seem so exited either.

After a minute of silence I only ask? „When is it? I ... I also have an interwiev appointment with Ivan Drago tomorrow."

„9:00 a.m."

My interview with Drago is at 2:00 p.m. so that should be no problem.

„Alright. I'll be there." is all I can say.

After dinner Apollo droppes me off at home, although we don´t talk through the drive. I start to work immediatley. I have to write at least 2 articles and one for the press confrence tomorrow. I still can't believe he wants to fight this men. He is in his mid thrities. No idea how old this Drago guy is, but for a boxer Apollo is way to old. Of course I can't tell him that because he would just lash out, but for godness sake even he has to face the musik at some point and accept that he's getting older. How delusional can this men be?

I start to work on the first article. I hate it so much, but Christoph is going to change it either way so might as well just write it how he wants it.

„Supermen vs Superhype"
Vegas Fight
Experience and Style
VS
Youth and Power

Retireted professional boxer and former Heavyweigth Champion Apollo Creed challenges amature boxer „The Sibirian Express" Ivan Drago to an exebithion match in Las Vegas in three weeks time on August 31. The training of Drago is extrodinary and the question that´s on everyones mind, can Apollo Creed still hang with the new generation?

I hate myself for writing something like that. Apollo is my friend, but on the other hand if I write it any different it´s just going to get changed it either way. Hopefully Apollo won't be that mad about it. Maybe he'll undertsand. I take the notes that I took at Rockys place and go over them. After rereading it I quickly wirte the second article in an Question and Anwser form. As soon as I'm done, I crawl into my bed and imidiatly drift off into a deep sleep.