I was born in 1946 as the only child to a Roman Catholic Italian-American family. Up to 1975, I was living in the slums of the Kensington section of Philadelphia, working as an enforcer for a local loan shark while at the same time fighting the local club circuit, including the Cambria Fight Club, nicknamed "The Bucket of Blood". By this time, I had fought in 64 fights, winning 44 (38 knockouts) and losing 20 (as directly mentioned in Rocky). My previous fight was a second round knockout over local fighter Spider Rico.
I got my big break when the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed decided that he wanted to give an unknown fighter a chance to fight for the title after his intended challenger, Mac Lee Green, broke his hand while training. After getting picked by Apollo, I reunites with his estranged trainer, grizzled former boxer Mickey Goldmill, who convinces me that he can help get me prepared for this fight. At the same time I begin dating the shy pet-shop worker Adrian Peninno, younger sister of my friend Paulie.