Clubber Lang

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James 'Clubber' Lang (born May 21, 1954) is a character that appeared as Rocky Balboa's rival in the 1982 movie Rocky III. He was played by the popular "bodyguard to the stars" Mr. T. Mr. T was 29 years old when the film was launched. The character is based on George Foreman.

Plot

During Rocky III's intro, we see Rocky defeating numerous contenders in a montage. In this montage, Clubber is displayed as being annoyed at the relative ease with which Rocky wins the bouts. Later he is seen training himself and brutally thrashing other boxers until he becomes the number one contender. At the end of the montage, Clubber is shown yelling at Rocky's trainer Mickey, goading him to set up a fight between Rocky and himself, shouting "I want Balboa." Clubber crashes a ceremony in Philadelphia dedicating a statue to Rocky and challenges the champ. He is disrespectful to Rocky's wife, Adrian, prompting Rocky to lose his temper and accept the challenge, despite Mickey's protests. Clubber, the hard-hitting brawler, has a character which is much like his boxing style: direct, aggressive and brutal. His fighting style and record show a similarity to a young George Foreman. His quest for respect from the press is much like Larry Holmes. Clubber is shown to seemingly enjoy fighting and inflicting pain on whoever he fights, he was shown to be willing to fight both inside and outside the ring, even attempting to taunt the newly retired Apollo Creed into hitting him just before his match with Balboa. Because Rocky has become complacent with his place at the top of the boxing world, he is unprepared for Lang, who covets Rocky's spot and is relentless in his goal to become champ. Despite an uncharacteristic, very aggressive start to the match, leading to dangerous overconfidence and arrogance, Rocky is defeated by Lang in a second round knockout (KO). Afterwards, he is unable to admit losing to Mickey, telling his manager that he won, but Mickey dies shortly afterward from injuries sustained by one of Clubber's temper tantrums, combined with a weak old heart. Disenchanted with himself, Rocky trains in order to return to top form and bests Lang in a rematch by knocking the 25-year-old out in round three. Little is known about Clubber Lang. Before Rocky's fight against him, he is introduced as being from Chicago, (his nickname is "The Southside Slugger"). According to his bio in Rocky: The Ultimate Guide, James Lang was orphaned at an early age, and spent most of his childhood in the streets of Chicago, orphanages and juvenile facilities. Later as an adult, Clubber was sent to prison for five years, for one possible count of a felony and/or assault charge. But during his time being served he discovered boxing as a way to let out his frustrations and talent, which leads to the events of Rocky III. This is also evident in the game, Rocky Legends, to where if you select Clubber's path, he starts out fighting in the Chicago State Penintetiary, in a ring actually inside the prison itself. The Internet Movie Database does not provide a name for his manager, though one novelization of the film called him "Donut." Clubber originated the phrase "I pity the fool," which has since become synonymous with Mr. T himself.