65+ Rocky Quotes and Sayings To Motivate You

“You see this guy staring back at you? That’s your toughest opponent. I believe that’s true in the ring, and I think that’s true in life.” -Rocky Balboa

By January Nelson

Updated 4 years ago, January 14, 2021

Rocky was an American boxer and world heavyweight champion who is the only fighter who finished his career undefeated. As a boxing legend, he has had a movie series based on his life and successful career, providing entertainment and motivation, wisdom, and inspiration. Here are some of the best Rocky quotes from the movie and by the legend himself.

Rocky: The Career

Rocky was born Rocco Francis Marchegianon in Massachusetts. He started working out at a young age, as well as playing baseball and football. When he was in 9th grade, he dropped out of school. Then, in 1943, he was drafted into the Army and sent to Wales for three years. When he completed his service in Fort Lewis, Washington, he also competed in amateur fights, winning the 1946 Amateur Armed Forces Boxing Tournament. In 1947, he started fighting and training as a professional competitor.

Sometime in 1948, he won a fight against Harry Bilizarian. He then went on to win 16 consecutive fights, all before the 5th round, and 9 consecutive fights, all before the 1st round. In 1952, he fought and won against Joe Walcott for the world heavyweight championship. During his entire competitive career as a heavyweight champion, he was a winner of 49 consecutive fights.

Unfortunately, in 1969, he died tragically in a plane crash, leaving his wife Barbara Cousin and their children in his legacy.

Rocky: The Legacy

He is honored through the Rocky film series: Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, Rocky Balboa, Creed, and Creed II. This series is classic, showing the life and success of the man himself and how he came to be the fighter he was.

There are motivating quotes in every film that serves as an inspiration to any person working hard for what they want. You can almost always find a motivational quote from the Rocky movie(s) hanging up in a boxing gym. His words serve as a reminder for anyone training for a fight. Fans will visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps–often referred to as the “Rocky Steps”–where he (Sylvester Stallone) ran up in the first Rocky movie. He will be long-remembered and praised as a record-holding, strong, hardworking, committed boxing champion.

Rocky Balboa Quotes On Fighting

“No, maybe I can’t win, maybe the only thing I can do is just take everything he’s got. But to beat me, he’s gonna have to kill me and to kill me, he’s gonna have to have the heart to stand in front of me, and to do that, he’s gotta be willing to die himself.” -Rocky Balboa

“Fighters fight.” -Rocky Balboa

“It ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.” -Rocky Balboa

“I got heart, but I ain’t got no locker.” -Rocky Balboa

“What’s so crazy about standing toe-to-toe with someone, saying ‘I am’?” -Rocky Balboa

“I can’t beat him… I been out there walkin’ around, thinkin’. I mean, who am I kiddin’? I ain’t even in the guy’s league.” -Rocky Balboa

“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.” -Rocky Balboa

“There’s a beast inside me.” -Rocky Balboa

“When can I fight again?” -Rocky Balboa

“Do you like having a good time? Then you need-a-good-watch!” -Rocky Balboa

“How ’bout I stay here and you fight?” -Rocky Balboa

“You’re gonna take a beating, you’re gonna take this, you’re gonna get knocked down, you’re gonna get up, and you’re gonna see if you got the right thing.” -Rocky Balboa -Rocky Balboa

“If you stop this fight, I’ll kill you.” -Rocky Balboa

“C’mon, champ hit me in the face! My mom hits harder than you!” -Rocky Balboa

“Nothing’s over ’til it’s over.” -Rocky Balboa

“You knocked him down; why don’t you try knocking me down now.” -Rocky Balboa

“You gotta be a moron… you gotta be a moron to wanna be a fighter.” -Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa Quotes on Success, Winning, and Hard Work

“Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up.” -Rocky Balboa

“Success is usually the culmination of controlling failure.” -Rocky Balboa

“I am not the richest, smartest, or most talented person in the world, but I succeed because I keep going, and going, and going!” -Rocky Balboa

“I believe there’s an inner power that makes winners or losers. And the winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts.” -Rocky Balboa

“Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that, and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!” -Rocky Balboa

“It’s your right to listen to your gut, it ain’t nobody’s right to say no after you earned the right to be where you want to be and do what you want to do!” -Rocky Balboa

“Every once in a while, a person comes along who defies the odds, who defies logic, and fulfills an incredible dream.” -Rocky Balboa

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that if I can change, and you can change, everybody can change!” -Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa Quotes About Strength, Courage, and Determination

“Going in one more round when you don’t think you can. That’s what makes all the difference in your life.” -Rocky Balboa

“One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time.” -Rocky Balboa

“Life’s not about how hard of a hit you can give… it’s about how many you can take, and still keep moving forward.” -Rocky Balboa

“I gotta problem I gotta fight!” -Rocky Balboa

“Bring back everything that’s ever hurt you, all the pain you had inside. They don’t know what we’ve been through. You belong here!” -Rocky Balboa

“If I can change and you can change, everybody can change.” -Rocky Balboa

“You gotta work hard. I swear to God, if you’re not gonna do it, I’m out.” -Rocky Balboa

“You see, fear is a fighter’s best friend. You know, but it ain’t nothing to be ashamed of. See, fear keeps you sharp; it keeps you awake, you know, it makes you want to survive. You know what I mean? But the thing is, you gotta learn how to control it. All right? ‘Cause fear is like this fire, all right? And it’s burning deep inside.” -Rocky Balboa

person sitting on top of gray rock overlooking mountain during daytime

Rocky Quotes on Beliving In Yourself

“Remember, the mind is your best muscle. Big arms can move rocks, but big words can move mountains.” -Rocky Balboa

“I don’t know if you’re special. Only you are going to know that.” -Rocky Balboa

“I stopped thinking the way other people think a long time ago. You gotta think like you think.” -Rocky Balboa

“You see this guy staring back at you? That’s your toughest opponent. I believe that’s true in the ring, and I think that’s true in life.” -Rocky Balboa

“Until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.” -Rocky Balboa

“The toughest opponent you’re ever going to have to face is in the mirror.” -Rocky Balboa

“Nothing is real if you don’t believe in who you are!” -Rocky Balboa

“Nobody owes nobody nothing.” -Rocky Balboa

“My point is, I’m pursuing something, and nobody looks too happy about it.” -Rocky Balboa

“You know, I think you try harder when you’re scared.” -Rocky Balboa

man in black tank top and black shorts wearing black boxing gloves

Rocky Quotes About Life’s Hardships

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place, and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.” -Rocky Balboa

“Everything I got has moved on, and I’m here.” -Rocky Balboa

“I gotta go out the way I gotta go out.” -Rocky Balboa

“You’re gonna have to go through hell, worse than any nightmare you’ve ever dreamed. But when it’s over, I know you’ll be the one standing. You know what you have to do. Do it.” -Rocky Balboa

“Because if you’re willing to go through all the battling, you got to go through to get where you want to get, who’s got the right to stop you?” -Rocky Balboa

“When things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a shadow.” -Rocky Balboa

“You can’t learn when you’re talking. That’s a fact of life. As long as you’re talking, you’re not listening.” -Rocky Balboa

“I don’t care how tough you are; it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.” -Rocky Balboa

“You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.” -Rocky Balboa

“I am not the richest, smartest, or most talented person in the world, but I succeed because I keep going, and going, and going!” -Rocky Balboa

“Yeah yeah, the Bill of Rights. Don’t it say something about going after what makes you happy?” -Rocky Balboa

“Time takes everybody out. Time is undefeated.” -Rocky Balboa

“All I wanna do is go the distance.” -Rocky Balboa

“Ya know, they always say if you live in one place long enough, you are that place.” -Rocky Balboa

“The only thing I’m asking you guys to leave on the table… is what’s right.” -Rocky Balboa

“You know, the older I get the more things I gotta leave behind; that’s life.” -Rocky Balboa

Rocky Quotes About Love, Family, and Friendships

“I’m always gonna love you, no matter what. No matter what happens.” -Rocky Balboa

“Together, we fill gaps.” -Rocky Balboa

“You’re my son, and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life.” -Rocky Balboa

“You know I couldn’t have done nothing without you…” -Rocky Balboa

“I’d hold you up to say to your mother, ‘this kid’s gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid’s gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew.’ And you grew up good and wonderful. It was great just watching you; every day was like a privilege. Then the time came for you to be your own man and take on the world, and you did. But somewhere along the line, you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you’re no good.” -Rocky Balboa

Here’s a clip of the above movie quote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkJLTGweKl0

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Do you have a favorite Rocky quote?

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