Who Is Ivan Drago? A Look At The Iconic Boxing Character
Who is Ivan Drago? Explore the origins, motivations, and unforgettable fighting style of this legendary boxing villain.
Author:Andrew StevensonReviewer:Johnathan MillerOct 15, 20249.7K Shares145.5K Views
Ivan Vasilyevich Drago is a made-up Russian character from the Rocky movie series. He first shows up in the 1985 movie Rocky IV as the main bad guy who fights Rocky Balboa. He comes back in the 2018 movie Creed II as the main villain again, this time coaching his son Viktor. A survey of past heavyweight champions and famous boxing journalists placed Ivan Dragoas the third-top fighter in the Rocky series.
Ivan Drago's Story
Ivan Drago is a champion boxer from the Soviet Union, who has never lost a match in his amateur career, winning all 100 fights by knockout. He's very tall, at 6 feet 5 inches, and weighs 261 pounds.
Drago is the ultimate fighter, trained and equipped with the best technology to monitor his heart rate and how hard he punches during training. In the movie, there's a scene where Drago is shown getting shots, which are hinted to be steroids to make him stronger, but it's never said directly.
Instead, his wife jokes that he gets his strength from eating spinach like Popeye. After losing a fight to Rocky, Drago had to leave Russia and take care of his son Viktor by himself.
Drago's wife, Ludmilla Vobet, who is also a successful athlete with two Olympic gold medals in swimming, often speaks for him because he doesn't talk much. They ended up getting divorced after Drago lost to Rocky, and now Drago is raising their son, Viktor, who is also a professional boxer, on his own.
Rocky IV Simplified
In the movie, Drago's team, including his coaches Sergei Igor Rimsky (George Rogan) and Manuel Vega (James "Cannonball" Green), and his wife Ludmilla (Brigitte Nielsen), believe he can beat any fighter. Drago starts his journey in professional boxing at the start of the film.
Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), a former champion now aged 43, decides to come back and fight Drago in a show match, with help from his old opponent Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone).
Apollo makes a flashy entrance to the ring in his American-themed outfit while James Brown's "Living in America" plays, and he dances on a big stage. Before the fight starts, Drago warns, "You will lose."
Apollo tries to show off at the start, moving quickly and landing light punches on Drago. But Drago hits back hard, showing Apollo can't keep up with the younger, stronger Russian.
Even after the round ends, Drago keeps hitting Apollo, leaving him badly hurt. Rocky thinks about stopping the fight, but Apollo insists on continuing. Ignoring Apollo's wishes leads to a tragic mistake; Drago lands a deadly punch that knocks out Apollo and kills him shortly after, while Rocky holds him.
Drago shows no sadness, saying "if he dies, he dies," and declares his aim to beat a "real champion" next. With Apollo dead, Rocky decides to fight Drago in revenge. When the official boxing commission won't approve the fight, Rocky gives up his championship title to face Drago in an unofficial match in Moscow on Christmas Day.
After training hard in the Russian countryside and gaining support from his wife Adrian, Rocky is ready to face Drago.
The fight starts with Drago dominating, but Rocky manages to cut Drago's eye, shaking Drago's confidence. The match turns into a tough battle, with Rocky eventually winning the crowd's support.
Drago's trainer criticizes him, saying he's letting down the Soviet Union. Angry, Drago throws his trainer out of the ring, saying he fights for himself. Before the last round, Drago tells Rocky, "To the end." In a dramatic finish, Rocky knocks Drago out in the last round, winning the fight.
Rocky V Summary
Rocky is left with a serious brain injury from his fight with Drago, which messes with his memory and makes him see and hear things that aren't there. In a fight against Tommy Gunn, Rocky imagines Drago and fears he'll die just like Apollo did. A vision of Mickey, his old trainer, encourages him to stand up and fight, helping him to beat Tommy.
Creed II Summary
After losing to Rocky, Drago is shunned in the USSR, and his wife Ludmilla leaves him. He and his son Viktor move to Ukraine post-Cold War, living simply while Viktor trains hard to become a top boxer.
Viktor quickly defeats all his local opponents, and when Adonis "Donnie" Creed wins the World Heavyweight Championship, Drago and Viktor challenge him to a match. Drago confronts Rocky, blaming him for his losses and vowing revenge through Viktor.
When Donnie agrees to fight but Rocky won't train him, Drago steps up Viktor's training. During a pre-fight weigh-in, Drago mocks Donnie's size, leading to a brawl between the fighters.
Viktor dominates Donnie in the fight, injuring him badly but gets disqualified for an illegal hit. Despite this, Viktor becomes famous for his powerful punches, and Drago gains back some respect in Russia. Ludmilla's return angers Viktor, and he criticizes his father for wanting approval from those who abandoned them.
Seeking a legitimate win, the Dragos challenge Donnie to a rematch in Russia. Ivan pushes Viktor hard in preparation. Rocky trains Donnie to withstand heavy blows and exploit Viktor's reliance on brute force.
Viktor starts strong in the rematch but gets tired, a situation he's unused to. Donnie takes him down twice, leading some of Viktor's supporters, including Ludmilla, to leave. Seeing his son struggle, Drago stops the fight to protect him, showing his love and pride.
In the end, Ivan and Viktor Drago reconcile, focusing on strengthening their relationship beyond the boxing legacy.
Personality Overview
Ivan Drago, unlike the showy Apollo Creedand the loud James "Clubber" Lang from earlier Rocky movies, is a man of few words and doesn't show off. He's obsessed with being the best, pushing himself so hard that he loses touch with his feelings.
People think Drago represents how Americans saw the Soviets back then: big, strong, and without emotions. This idea is shown when he beats Apollo Creed without mercy in a friendly match and doesn't care when he hears Apollo has died.
Drago usually lets his wife and coaches speak for him. In the first movie, he barely says anything. But in Creed II, Sylvester Stallone gave him more to say.
Rocky IV - Rocky Vs Drago Director's Cut
In this special version of the movie made by Stallone, Drago is shown in a different light. He struggles more with being seen just as a tool for Soviet interests versus his own dreams of being a great fighter.
He gets more lines early in the movie and during press talks, which makes him seem more human and less like the typical villain. The story changes from a simple good American versus bad Soviet to a deeper story about two fighters, each with their own reasons to fight, set against the political games of their countries.
Ivan Drago Actor
Dolph Lundgren, a Swedish-American actor, director, and martial artist, was born on November 3, 1957, in Spånga, Sweden. He got into martial arts early and achieved a 4th dan black belt in Kyokushin karate, winning the European championship in 1980 and 1981.
His big break came in 1985 when he played the Soviet boxer Ivan Drago in "Rocky IV."
Lundgren starred in more than 80 action movies, such as "Masters of the Universe" (1987), "Red Scorpion" (1988), "The Punisher" (1989), and many others through the 1980s and '90s.
He played villains in "Universal Soldier" (1992) and "Johnny Mnemonic" (1995). In the 2000s, he was mostly in direct-to-video films but also directed and starred in his movies like "The Defender" (2004) and "Castle Falls" (2021).
Lundgren's career got a boost in 2010 with "The Expendables," where he played Gunner Jensen and appeared in the sequels. He returned as Ivan Drago in "Creed II" (2018) and had roles in "Arrow" (2017), "Aquaman" (2018), "Minions: The Rise of Gru" (2022), and others.
Frequently Asked Questions - Ivan Drago
Who Is Compared To Ivan Drago Because Of Their Physical Appearance?
Erling Haaland, the Norwegian footballer, has been compared to Ivan Drago, especially after signing with Manchester City in 2022, becoming a popular meme.
What Does The ABC Podcast Finding Drago Focus On?
Finding Drago examines how Ivan Drago has impacted today's writers, fan-fiction authors, and comedians.
Does Ivan Drago Use Performance Enhancers?
Computers track his heart rate and strength of his punches during training sessions. Drago is shown getting shots, suggested to be steroids, but the exact substance is never clearly identified.
Conclusion
Ivan Drago remains an iconic character in the Rocky film series, symbolizing the pinnacle of physical prowess and the complexities of a sports antagonist. His portrayal, marked by intense training regimes and controversial use of injections, sparks debates on natural ability versus enhanced performance. Drago's legacy, enriched by his cold demeanor and formidable presence in the ring, continues to captivate audiences, making him a memorable figure in cinematic history.
Andrew Stevenson
Author
Meet Andrew Stevenson, a distinguished male writer whose passion and expertise encompass a wide array of topics, including global news, finance, health, celebrity culture, movies, and cryptocurrency. With a wealth of experience and a keen eye for detail, Andrew delivers engaging and informative content that resonates with readers from all walks of life. His insightful analysis of market trends, health breakthroughs, and the latest developments in entertainment captivates audiences, while his exploration of the burgeoning world of cryptocurrency offers invaluable insights into this rapidly evolving field. Andrew's commitment to excellence and his ability to distill complex information into accessible narratives make him a trusted source of knowledge and inspiration in today's dynamic media landscape. Join him on a journey of discovery as he illuminates the intersections of culture, finance, and technology, shaping the conversation one article at a time.
Johnathan Miller
Reviewer
Meet Johnathan Miller, an esteemed writer and analyst renowned for his expertise in global news, finance, health, and cryptocurrency. With a distinguished background in finance and a meticulous approach to research, Johnathan offers incisive insights into market dynamics and economic trends. His articles are characterized by a profound understanding of health-related issues and a clear articulation of the complexities surrounding cryptocurrency. Through his professional lens and commitment to excellence, Johnathan navigates the intricate webs of our interconnected world, delivering compelling analysis and thought-provoking commentary. Join him on a journey of discovery and enlightenment as he continues to shape discourse in these vital spheres.
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