Rocky American Hero ?

In my opinion , Rocky is not the ideal  " American Hero" but he does fill the lines as an "Underdog". Despite his struggles and his choice of life Rocky still had the courage and stamina to go glove-to-glove with the best boxer out there. An Underdog to me isn't someone who is tough and ruthless , but someone who is able to continue their dreams apart from what others may perceive . The altercation between Mickey and Rocky was one of the many speed bumps in Rocky's path that determined whether or not he was a true Underdog. Freak Luck is what Mickey called it. Mickey felt as though this was an opportunity too good for Rocky , apart from that he continued to offer Rocky tips and technique for his big day. As Rocky's apartment slowly began to emerge into a personal boxing rink , he suddenly questions Mickey regarding why he wants to help him train all of a sudden. Could it be that Rocky might make it big time an Mickey wanted a percentage or could it be that Mickey actually cared for Rocky an wanted to see him live up to his full potential. Either way Rocky had asked for help before and Mickey wasn't there. It seemed to Rocky that everyone wanted to help now that he's been handed the big "title " opportunity. This altercation was where Rocky had to determine whether or not he wanted to continue this journey on is own or travel with useless passengers the remainder of the way. From then on Rocky was a one man show. Waking up the crack of dawn , eatting raw eggs , training in the ice box and no nasty with Adrian untill his big day pasted. To everyone else defeating Apollo may have been unrealistic , but in Rocky's eyes being the Underdog he is , he saw it as I can do an I will do regardless of what everyone thinks can defeat the great an be the great. Rocky The Underdog wanted to go the distance.