Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is champ again, captain of a large family, wife son and relatives. When there is a challenge from abroad-a Soviet giant named Drago (Dolph Lundgren)-the challenger is laughed off. The Soviet government wants the prestige of a World Heavyweight Boxing Championship and stands fully behind Drago-a cold, blond, almost-bloodless fighting machine who is somewhat inhuman.