CLUBBER LANG

'James 'Clubber' Lang' 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. He was 29 years old when the film was launched. The character is based on George Foreman.

Contents

'Classic quotes'

Plot

External links

'Classic quotes'

Clubber Lang provides some great lines in Rocky III:
"I bet you lay awake all night dreaming of a real man. I tell you what, you bring your pretty little self to my apartment and I'll show you a real man" (To Adrianne in an attempt to goad Rocky into agreeing to a title shot at the statue unveiling)
"And you better get that bad look off your face before I knock it off" (To Apollo who makes an 'former champion' publicity appearance in the ring before the first fight after Clubber informs Apollo he doesn't want no has-been in his corner)
"I reject the challenge because Balboa is no challenge but I'll be more than happy to beat up on him some more" (to TV reporter watched on TV by Apollo and Rocky as they discuss the rematch)
"I don't hate Balboa, but I pity the fool, and I will destroy any man who tries to take what I got" (the first appearance of Mr T's trademark quote, said to reporter discussing forthcoming rematch with Rocky)
"Prediction?" (off camera, a reporter confirms: "yes, prediction". Clubber turns slowly to the camera, licks his lips and simply utters: "pain"

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. 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. When Rocky loses his title to Lang, by a second round knockout, he is unable to admit losing to Mickey, who 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 him 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 '', 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 placed in prison for five years, as he was charged for a possible one count of a felony, 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.

External links

★ Clubber Lang on Rocky Wikia