Fight hurts!

Shots filmed for a scene from the original 1976 classic, Rocky, that would eventually be cut from the final film where Rocky watches the footage of Apollo Creed’s past fights, and realizes hopelessly, that he has no chance.

INT. GOLDMILL'S GYM - NIGHT Rocky arrives at Goldmill's Gym... He unlocks the gym's door. Rocky and the dog move through the eerie shadows of the gym. Rocky moves across the gym with his dog and moves up the steps to Mickey's office... At the top of the stairs he looks down at the ring, reflects for a moment, then enters the office. INT. MICKEY'S OFFICE - NIGHT After turning on the lights, he quickly cleans the cluttered desk and sets up the projector... He goes to the cabinet and removes a stack of 16 mm films. DISSOLVE TO: INT. MICKEY'S OFFICE - SEVERAL HOURS LATER The office clock indicates it is several hours later.  Rocky is engrossed in watching another Apollo Creed film.  He sits motionless. Rocky sits upright.  Something catches his eyes... He springs at the projector.  He reruns the scene several times. DISSOLVE TO: INT. MICKEY'S OFFICE - SEVERAL HOURS LATER Several hours later Rocky is engrossed in watching another Apollo Creed film... He sits motionless.  Something catches his eye.  Rocky stops the projector as Apollo is delivering a knockout blow to an unfortunate opponent. Rocky moves right up to freeze frame and inspects it like it was a priceless painting... He backs off and begins writing on a note pad. DISSOLVE TO: INT. MICKEY'S OFFICE - DAWN The first light of dawn streams through Mickey's filthy windows... Rocky is slumped in a chair and it is apparent he has lost interest in watching the movies. The film has completed its run through the projector and lazily flops around on the top reel... Listlessly Rocky rubs his reddened eyes. 97. The door opens and Mickey flips on the light... The two men stare at each other for a long moment.  Mickey studies Rocky's despondent expression and knows what is on the fighter's mind. MICKEY ... I know what you're thinkin' kid -- At least ya gotta shot -- All ya can do is try ya' best. Rocky stands and, with his dog, inches past Mickey and exits the room.  Mickey walks over and turns off the projector. He idly pushes the machine with a lazy motion until it slides off the desk and crashes to the floor.

Ultimately, it was replaced with the scene where Rocky walks around the Spectrum stadium, and comes across Mr. Jergens. In one of the audio commentaries either John Avildsen or Sylvester Stallone mentions the scene, and implies none of it was shot due to “budget reasons”, but thankfully, in the recent documentary, Rocky: Birth of a Classic we can see that the scene was at least partially filmed.