Movie Quotes, Volume 12

Rocky (1976)

This may be the most underrated scene in the original Rocky; sandwiched between the famous training montage and the classic bout with Apollo Creed, it tends to get lost in all the excitement. It's notable, however, because it tells the viewer exactly what Rocky hopes to get out of the fight. He doesn't want to knock Creed out. Truthfully, he doesn't care if he wins. No, all Rocky Balboa wants to do is go the distance, fifteen rounds against the heavyweight champion of the world, something nobody before him has managed to do. Ultimately, he wants his life to mean something - to himself, to Adrian, to Mickey, to the world - and knows that this is the best way to prove that it does.

Rocky: I can't do it.
Adrian: What?
Rocky: I can't beat him.
Adrian: Apollo?
Rocky: Yeah. I been out there walkin' around, thinkin'. I mean, who am I kiddin'? I ain't even in the guy's league.
Adrian: What are we gonna do?
Rocky: I don't know.
Adrian: You worked so hard.
Rocky: Yeah, that don't matter. 'Cause I was nobody before.
Adrian: Don't say that.
Rocky: Ah come on, Adrian, it's true. I was nobody. But that don't matter either, you know? 'Cause I was thinkin', it really don't matter if I lose this fight. It really don't matter if this guy opens my head, either. 'Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood.